Arsenal
Latest Arsenal Team News + Predicted Starting XI To Take On Cardiff
Arsenal entertain Cardiff City at the Emirates Stadium on New Years Day looking to cement their place at the top of the Premier League. Here’s a predicted team.
Arsenal entertain Cardiff City at the Emirates Stadium on New Years Day looking to cement their place at the top of the Premier League.
The north Londoners head into the New Year sitting top of the table following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United and another win over Cardiff will move them a step closer to ending their much talked about trophy drought.
Arsene Wenger has suggested he may be forced to rest striker Olivier Giroud for the game which could see Nicklas Bendtner start up front. Lukas Podolski is another option but the Gunners boss has hinted he’ll continue to use the German cautiously following his four month lay-off.
Mikel Arteta could come back in to midfield after being named among the subs at the weekend while Jack Wilshere could be pushed further forward with Mesut Ozil ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Aaron Ramsey is also out so Mathieu Flamini could partner Arteta at the base of midfield. Santi Cazorla was disappointing against Newcastle but is likely to retain his place, although Wenger could opt to give some game-time to one of his youngsters such as Ryo Miyaichi or Serge Gnabry.
Here’s our predicted team:
What do you think of our team? What team would you like to see Wenger play? Share your views below.
may7heaven
December 31, 2013 at 9:27 am
Tempting though it is to give Giroud a rest. Scoring against the weakest side in the division could be just the confidence booster he needs to really kick-start his season. With Ramsey & Ozil already out making a third major change could be just a bit too disruptive. If he does play I’d like to see Cazorla moved to the centre with Pod playing off Bendtner’s (or Giroud’s) shoulder – Even though this might mean making a 4th change, it would give us a better balance and greater attacking threat.
Ricky Ng
December 31, 2013 at 9:58 am
I do not understand why Arsene should play bendner upfront. I will pick Poldiski,a better choice. He has proven time again,he can score crucial goal when the team is down,& further he can provide assist. Let”s play him more often. when he is a Germany international,we can conclude,he is world class as Germany is one of the best team in the world. I go for Poldiski.
adiscope
December 31, 2013 at 10:06 am
I would like to play podolski ahead of bendtner to give us a good result,b’cus we need that match.
Tosin
December 31, 2013 at 10:42 am
To my own nollege i prefer pody up frunt then bentner behinde him
DudeNoDude
December 31, 2013 at 10:50 am
PODOLSKI without question, it’s blatantly obvious!
This French mentality decision making thing with Wenger is what prevents him from being a LEGENDARY manager vs. the GOOD manager he is. All at the expense of our beloved Gunners, he’s putting his narrow-minded self and FINANCES above the TEAM. If AW doesn’t utilize OUR 2nd best offensive player in POLDI, next to Ozil, it is a grave MISFIRE.
Chol Diing Deng
December 31, 2013 at 11:51 am
Wenger will be beating the drum of draw/loose if he doesn’t want to play Podoski. Podoski should be the first choice before Bendter.
Temmie
December 31, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Why gambling with Betner? Play POLDOSKI if you want a win.
Ian Hawthorne
December 31, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Podolski has to play. Simple as that
Szczesny;
Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal;
Flamini, Arteta;
Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski;
Bendtner
james afolabi
December 31, 2013 at 8:37 pm
i’ll like to see podolsic play,aw to move carzorla into mid-field,i believe in bendtner also, we need that 3 point badly,see u at the top after Cardiff city match.
Mohamed
January 1, 2014 at 9:42 am
wenger needs to add a top quality striker,a defensive midfielder,a full right back this winter b4 challenging 4 title this season