Arsenal completely dominated Marseille in their latest Champions League game but still have no qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.
However, they are nearly there and should be favorites as they lead the group of death and only a very heavy defeat will hurt their chances.
Gunners are on top of the premier league, 4 points clear of joint second place Liverpool and Chelsea. Arsene Wenger’s men will face Cardiff away on Saturday and surely the in-form side will be favorites to go 7 points ahead in the league as Reds and Blues will play their games on Sunday.
Cardiff fought out a draw against Manchester United last weekend and will be really glad if somehow they can earn a point against league leaders as well.
As far as the team news is concerned, Wenger will face a big selection dilemma but a good one.
Arteta got a knock against Southampton so it was safe he did not play in midweek but the Spaniard will be fit for the clash against Cardiff. In his absence, Flamini was superb versus Marseille.
Theo Walcott, after returning from injury, has now played two games as a substitute to improve fitness and it is about time that he might be given a start. However, if he does start, who will move to the bench.
Cazorla and Ramsey have normally played on the right wing in his absence and both have been fantastic. Santi is likely to start on the left hand side but what about Ramsey.
Not to forget, Wilshere was the man of the match playing on the right hand side against Marseille. So it will be intriguing to see the starting XI Wenger picks.
The defensive line will probably remain the same as it was against Southampton so as the striker with Giroud starting upfront. Here is Arsenal’s likely XI vs Cardiff.
Prediction: Cardiff 0-2 Arsenal
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Arsenal Likely XI vs Cardiff – Wenger's Selection Dilemma
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No no no. Arteta cannot get the nod ahead of Flamini. Wenger’ll rather play them both.
In current form, Ramsey is simply undroppable. He will certainly slot in ahead of Cazorla. The only position open for question is defensive midfielder. Flamini would get the nod given his value to the team, but since he played on Tuesday and is only recently recovered from injury, it’s a toss-up between him and Arteta
This is my lineup .Sczesny ,Sagna , Per ,Koscielny ,Gibbs , Flamini , Ramsey , wilshere , Ozil , Rosicky Giroud
I really like the lineup of Joe. I like Rosickys’ style of play, this is a superb combination.Mr Wenger take the challenge.
Drop Arteta replace with Flamini and Ramsey, they seem to understand each other well.
How can you drop Arteta and replace with Flamini and Ramsey, we’d have 12 players!
Whoever starts can do equally fine considering the quality they all have! Very interesting at the moment even with Poldi still out
Its simple, even though it sounds as if I am undermining Cardiff, I am not… Wenger has always stated how Wilshere’s best position is the DM role, so I think the middle of the park WILL consist of Ramsey&Wilshere combo… The team will look like this…
Szczney
Sagna. Mert. Kosc. Gibbs
Ramsey&Wilshere
Walcott. Ozil. Cazorla
Giroud
@ sir dapper u left out Flamini n Arteta for Ramsey n Wilshere? Dats totally wrong
Arteta cannot play the nod ahead of Flamini
Cardif is very tricky at home so we need a proven pacey ix players. I would wish wenger stick to the team that won aganist O.M in champions league, and tod sub JACK with THEO, ROSISKY with ARTETA, OZIL with CARZOLA. If there arise no injury scare in the game. Wenger should avoid in future playing OZIL and CARZOLA in the game the are corriding much
Drop Ozil. He is the one that needs a rest.
I will rest few players.. Not because I’m underestimating Cardiff ! But they need the rest and we can afford it. We have the quality to rest and protect recently injured players, like Wilshere, Flamin. Also, rest Per, Sagna Ozil.. I’m sure Rambo, Arteta, Vermealen and theo will and deserve chance to play! I trust that we lose nothing in the middle with Ramsey and Arteta and upfront with Cazorla, Theo and Rosicky.. I’m little nerve with the defense, cause per is so solid and Sagna is irriplacable. Here is my team:
Woj
Jenkinson. Kolc. TV. Gibbs
Arteta. Ramsey
Theo Rosicky Cazorla
Giroud.
Subs by choice: Gnabry, Montreal, Wilshere.
yeah man…I can’t wait to see how hard it will be when Daiby,ox,and podl are back in the team…
Why start wilshere (behind Giroud), ramsey, arteta in the middle with Rosicky right/ carzola left? I am ready for the backlash
I would wish that Gnaby be given a chance .The boy looks so promising and very much composed.Theo to be introduced in second half but Bentner should not be given any chance.Oliver should score goals for us since a striker is judged by the number of goals he is able to score but not chances he misses out .The guy is missing a lot of chances his duties are being performed by midfielders’.
Yea u right Ozil needs to rest it tell on him later.
They ar all pros, n’ good so u continue to rotate both cazola & Rosiky Arteta& flamin, gibbs & monreal. Haaaaha! We ave good bench, jus less do it dis year!.
I would like wenger to the strongest team so as to keep iur tempo high and here is my lineup. Woj, sagna, peter, laurent, gibs, rosisky, arteta, theo, ozil, ramsey, giroud. Sub: jack, flamini, nacho, carzola, thomas, fabiansky. I beliebe with this line-up we’ll beat cardif 3 – 0
Woj Sagna Per Kosc Gibbs Flamin Ramsy Rosisky Walcot Santi Carzola Gnabry Substitutes: Wilshere, Ozil, Verm
No way, Flamini should start, so Ateta should be dropped
With the current wealth of talent that seems to be all playing well at the same time this selection delimma is a great problem to have. How long has it been since we had this delimma…3, 4, maybe 5 years. Also I feel the manager needs to and will consider the confidence level of the players and use the selection to positively or negatively motivate. OK so then where to begin. Agree Ozil needs a rest…a game on the subs bench could shake him out of his very minor slump. It would be good to see Theo for a full match or at least the first 65/70 to help his confidence and stamina. Also I feel to keep his confidence high, you must start Jack. Tuesday was he best he has looked in a long while.. So then the starting 11. The back 5 pick themselves…even with Monreal having a cracking game. Woj, Sagna, BFG, Kos, Gibbs – Mid-field – Rambo on fire, The Director – Flame, Walcott, Cazorla, Jack, Giroud.
Wenger should continue with the team that played against marselle.especially monreal he needs playing time so that he wouldnt be match rustty.the sellection was completed.pls Asene move forward,let people and whole world know that u are the world best coach ever.
Ozil needs to be rested I don’t think he’s up to premier league speed just yet. For what we paid for him I expect more. I would give a few people a rest this game to freshen the squad for what December will bring. I would go with shezny, Sagna, BFG, vermarlen, monreal,
flamini, wilshere,
carzola, Ramsey, gnabry
and wait for it theo upfront.
Subs to make a difference if needed …arteta giroud and ozil.
I no ur thinking mad man but giroud needs a rest and with gnabry and theo we would have lightning pace and when Cardiff see our team sheet they wouldn’t no wots hit them they’ll be expecting a target man and all there hardwork in training will go down the bin.
Ramsey in. Rosicky in. Monreal in (if Gibbs is still bad).
Walcott sub. Arteta or Flamini sub. Don’t care who.
Same team that play against Marseille