Arsenal’s blip appears to be over. At the start of December, the Gunners went four games without a win. A draw with Everton was followed by dispiriting defeats away to Napoli and Manchester City. Arsenal then toiled against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in an uninspiring game that ended 0-0.
However, two away wins in three days have put Arsenal back on track, and back at the top of the table. Against Cardiff, Arsene Wenger’s team have a chance to sustain their good run and maintain their lead.
Wenger will surely take the opportunity to rotate his squad. Arsenal made four changes for the trip to Newcastle, and in all likelihood will want to freshen the XI up once again for Cardiff’s visit. The squad rotation policy makes predicting a starting line-up during this period perilously difficult.
However, there are three players in particular whose presence could be vital to overcoming the Welsh side.
The first is Bacary Sagna. Sagna was in outstanding form over the Christmas period – particularly at St. James’ Park. As Newcastle held the Arsenal goal under siege, Sagna produced an astonishing nine clearances.
Sagna’s game is particularly suited to the kind of ‘backs-to-the-wall’ defending that was required at Newcastle. He has won 61% of his aerial duels this season – an exceptional tally for a full-back. To illustrate the point, left-back Kieran Gibbs has won just 50% of his headed battles.Sagna’s aerial ability will be vital against Cardiff, who offer a significant threat from set-pieces. Two of the Bluebirds’ most creative players, Peter Whittingham and Kim Bo-Kyung, also do much of their best work from the left flank, and Sagna will be tasked with keeping them at bay.
In midfield, Arsenal are likely to bring back Mikel Arteta. Arteta was a late substitute against Newcastle, but was absolutely integral to the win at Upton Park. He won four out of five tackles, and completed a remarkable 95% of his 83 passes.
Arteta Pass Map vs West Ham: PL 2013/14Arteta’s combination of industry and intelligence makes him vital to Arsenal’s best XI.
Cardiff’s most effective summer signing has been Chilean midfielder Gary Medel. If Arteta can win the battle with Medel, Arsenal are likely to dominate the game.
Finally, we come to Lukas Podolski. This could be the game that marks Podolski’s first start since August.
The German made a huge impact on his return from injury at West Ham, grabbing an assist and a goal in his second-half cameo.
His heat map shows that he added some much needed width to what had previously been a narrow Arsenal midfield.
His directness also ensures that the Gunners convert their possession to penetration. Against West Ham, the German was the embodiment of efficiency: he won his only tackle, his sole headed duel, and completed 100% of his 18 passes.
Podolski was rested entirely for the trip to Newcastle. He should be ready and raring to go against Cardiff.
No side in the Premier League accumulated more points than Arsenal throughout the calendar year of 2013. Arsene Wenger and Arsenal will be keen to get 2014 of to a similarly positive start.
If Arsenal are to defeat Cardiff, the trio of Bacary Sagna, Mikel Arteta and Lukas Podolski will surely be vital.
