Arsenal Latest – Star to Jump in for Giroud

Arsenal are dealing with major injury blows for today’s fixture against Cardiff at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger provided the team news for new year’s game and named more than a few first team players who may not feature versus Cardiff.
Arsene claimed:

“Starting of course first with Ramsey and Ozil who are out, and we lost Gibbs at Newcastle with a calf strain. We have as well Monreal and Vermaelen who are not certain to be ready because they have come just back from illness, then we have uncertainty about Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott. We lost Giroud to an ankle problem at Newcastle so this morning will be more medical checks to see who will be available for the game”

The manager is surely going to face selection dilemma for the tie but perhaps one change is imminent i.e. Podolski is going to make a return to the starting XI for the first time since September 2013.
German star has been injured for long term and has gained enough match fitness after returning to get back in the starting lineup.
Giroud has started all but one premier league game for the Gunners but will miss today’s game and is likely to return next weekend.
In his place as a lone striker, Bendtner & Podolski are the alternatives. Podolski may as well be handed the role of starting as a lone striker upfront with Cazorla pulling the strings behind him.
Gunners were comfortable winners versus Cardiff in the first tie, surely they will be clear favorites at the Emirates as well despite the few injury concerns.
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