Selection headache for Wenger: Possible starting line-up for Arsenal against Cardiff City

After a couple of promising performances against Southampton and Marseille, Arsenal now travel to Wales to face Aaron Ramsey’s former side Cardiff City who recently stole a point away from Manchester United scoring in the final minute of the game. Arsenal will be hoping to continue their form away from home but Cardiff could prove to be a tricky opponent, and if you remember they have already beaten Manchester City at home this season.

The Gunners after 12 game weeks are at the top of the table with 28 points, but just four points differentiates the top three sides as Chelsea and Liverpool are right behind the Gunners with 24 points on the table.

Cardiff have had a mixed start to the Campaign following their promotion. Although home games against the likes of Manchester City, United and Everton have been productive for the Welsh side, they haven’t maintained their consistency levels throughout the campaign and currently stand at 15th in the table with just 13 points from the opening 12 games. It will be interesting to see how the Gunners manage to break down Malky Mackay’s side and the match is very much expected to be a tight affair despite Arsenal’s breathtaking start to the season both home and away.

Arsenal stars Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Mikel Arteta started from the bench against Marseille while Keiran Gibbs missed the match due to illness. But according to the latest team news revealed by Wenger, there are no fresh injuries and Gibbs is also back in training.

The likes of Podolski, Diaby, Alex-Ox and Yaya Sanogo remain sidelined.

Defence:

There is nothing to take away from Arsenal’s Polish shot-stopper Wojciech Szcz?sny who although have had nothing to do in the last couple of matches, has been brilliant in the few times he has been made to work and Szczesny will continue in the goal. However, the back four might see Gibbs returning to the starting berth replacing Nacho Monreal who started in the Champions League game.

The Spaniard had a good game against the French side, but Wenger prefers the English man ahead of Monreal. Elsewhere, Sagna, Mertesacker and Koscielny should retain their starting berth.

Midfielders:

With Arteta and Flamini both available, it will be interesting to see what Wenger does this time around. Arteta having picked up a knock against the Saints last week, was made to start from the bench against Marseille, while Flamini and Ramsey did a good job in his absence. However, Wenger prefers Arteta ahead of the French man and should take his place back in the starting line-up alongside Aaron Ramsey while Flamini might be pushed to the bench. And Ozil despite his poor outings in the last couple of games should start in the no.10 role.

Forwards:

Giroud scored two goals against Southampton last week, but looked tired in the Champions League game. However, with no recognized backup, expect the French International to spearheadArsenal’s attack.

Elsewhere on the wings, Wenger will have another problem to sort out. While Theo Walcott has returned from his injury and made to start from the bench in the last two games, Jack Wilshere’smammoth performance and two wonderful goals against Marseille should earn him a place ahead of the speedster who can be used as an impact sub later in the second half. Santi Cazorla will return to the starting berth and should take his position on the left side of the attack.