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[Image] Predicted 4-3-1-2 Arsenal XI to face Cardiff City – will Ozil get to start?

Predicted Arsenal line-up to face Cardiff City in the Premier League

Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from what was a disappointing FA cup 4th round exit as they were thoroughly outclassed at the hands of old rivals Manchester United.

They must now travel to Cardiff to face the 19th-placed side in the Premier League. With the recent win at Chelsea, the Gunners would’ve thought things were back on track but unfortunately, inconsistency hurts.

A win and maximum points will be the only acceptable return for Unai Emery from this fixture, who will be looking to try and trump Chelsea into 4th place while also warding off pressure from Manchester United.

Team News

Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Laurent Koscielny were both substituted due to injuries in the FA Cup game against Man United. However, the latter is being analysed although he is expected to be ready to play.

Sokratis picked up an ankle injury and is expected to be out for about a month. Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin both suffered ACL ruptures and will be out for around 6-9 months while Danny Welbeck is out with an ankle problem as well.

Probable Arsenal XI

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Manager: Unai Emery

GK – Bernd Leno

This German goalkeeper has nailed down the starting role at Arsenal and is expected to be the man between the sticks for a long time to come.

RB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

With the recent ACL injury to Bellerin, Maitland-Niles has been tasked with covering the right-back role. For his age, has been good when called upon.

RCB – Shkodran Mustafi

Mustafi should get to start this game since Sokratis is injured. An inconsistent performer, he needs to get himself sorted soon.

LCB – Nacho Monreal

The Spanish left-back might be forced to move into a central defensive position because of the injury crisis. Though Koscielny has a chance, he is still a doubt.

LB – Sead Kolasinac

Has been in decent form over the last few weeks and his strong running and crossing skills will be useful in the final third yet again.

RCM – Matteo Guendouzi

The young player has been a revelation this season as his composure and calmness on the ball are matched by few players.

CM – Granit Xhaka

A constant worry for Arsenal fans, he is a very inconsistent player. When he does turn up though, he tends to control matches with his aggression in the midfield.

LCM – Lucas Torreira

The perfect defensive midfielder for this Arsenal side, if given time with the rest of the team, he has the potential to be a long-serving player for this historic club.

CAM – Mesut Ozil

Having been dropped from the team by Emery due to his apparent lack of effort, Ozil will be hoping to get a start against Cardiff considering that Ramsey played last weekend and that they play Manchester City next weekend.

RF – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal’s top-scorer, Aubameyang has been wonderful on certain occasions this season. He needs to be able to regularly deliver the goods for Emery’s side.

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LF – Alexandre Lacazette

The Frenchman is a talismanic figure and will hence be looking for the goals to start flowing. Expect Lacazette to start against Cardiff as well.

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