Gibbs back, Ozil dropped: How Arsenal should lineup against Cardiff

Arsenal travel to Cardiff on Saturday in what will be a tricky game for the Gunners. Many would expect Arsenal to beat Cardiff easily but there is no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League anymore. Cardiff have managed to beat Swansea and Manchester City at home, drawn with Manchester United and Everton and lost to Spurs and Newcastle; showing that it will not be an easy trip for Wenger’s men.

On the injury front, Kieran Gibbs is fit again having missed out in the Champions League in midweek but Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain are still not fit.

Looking ahead and who I think should start this game, Szczesny will certainly start in goal and the backline picks itself with Gibbs coming in for Monreal on the left and Sagna on the right with Mertesacker partnering Koscielny.

The midfield selections become very interesting. Please do not shoot me down for this but I feel that Ozil should be dropped i.e. given a rest for this game. The German maestro is still one of our best players but of late he has been off the boil and maybe be just needs a break and time to recharge his batteries. Arsenal are gifted with many great midfielders right now and it is only right to rotate them and keep them all happy.

Since we are away from home, I would opt to see Flamini and Arteta anchor the central midfield with Wilsher, Carzola and Ramsey ahead of them.

The lack of options upfront means that Olivier Giroud will start. Theo Walcott is not fit again but I am not sure that Wenger will thrust him into the starting lineup as yet.

Who would you like to see start against Cardiff?