Preview: Arsenal shouldn't take Cardiff trip lightly

Arsenal travel to South Wales to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff for a 3 pm kick off in the Premier League on Saturday. The trip looks like a comfortable afternoon for the Gunners but the men in red and white should be wary of the threat posed by the newcomers of the League.

The Welsh side have done it against the Manchester clubs, drawing vs ManUtd and handing a 3-2 loss to ManCity. The likes of Frazer Campbell have troubled the Premier League defences and goalkeeper Marshal has also been in brilliant form.

Arsenal on the other hand have been excellent till now and have a four point lead at the top of the Premier League. Sitting atop the League, Arsenal have just lost twice in the division – an opening day loss to Aston Villa and a marginal one at Old Trafford.

The Gunners have scored 24 goals – only Manchester City have found the net more times – in 12 Premier league game, conceding 10 times, having the second meanest defence in the league – behind Southampton. The likes of Giroud, Ramsey and Özil have been key to Arsenal’s march to the top.

Cardiff come into the match earning a last minute point vs the current champions ManUtd whereas the Gunners come back off a couple of 2-0s vs Southampton in the Premier League and Marseille in Europe. This has the makings of a good match with the Gunners requiring a win to keep their four point gap top of the pile.

Predicted line ups

Wojciech Szczesny will be the one starting between the sticks until some injury issue occurs. The Pole has been in emphatic form since the start of this season and has kept four clean sheets in his last five matches.

The back four have been quite solid this campaign and the same should be considered starting this time round. Sagna and Gibbs will start at full backs with Mertesacker and Koscielny starting in the heart of the defence. Kieren Gibbs was given a rest during midweek and will most likely start on Saturday, dropping Nacho Monreal to the bench.

The midfield is the one which will be the most tricky for Arsène Wenger to chose. The likes of Wilshere, Ramsey, Arteta, Flamini, Rosicky, Cazorla, Özil are all in contention for a starting place with the most likely trio of Ramsey, Arteta and Özil being on the line up sheet.

The front three will definitely see Olivier Giroud starting as the pivot upfront. Despite the return of Theo Walcott, expect Cazorla and Wilshere to start. Wilshere scored a couple of fine goals in the win during midweek with Cazorla still trying to regain his brilliant form of last season.

Prediction

I expect another 2-0 win in South Wales for Arsène Wenger’s men with Giroud and Cazorla on the scoresheet.