Predicted Arsenal line-up to face Cardiff City in the Premier League
Arsenal registered their first win of the Unai Emery era when they beat West Ham United 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. They now travel to Wales to face the newly promoted Cardiff City. It will be a tricky test for the Gunners as away games against promoted teams early on in the season is always a potential banana skin.
Emery is still in the process of identifying his best eleven, however, it has been pretty clear that Arsenal’s midfield dynamic completely changes whenever Lucas Torreira comes on to replace either of Mateo Guendouzi or Granit Xhaka.
Alexandre Lacazette has been sharp in his cameos off the bench, giving a variety of options for the new manager. One area where the Gunners seriously lack is the defence, and so Emery needs to back the players he has at the moment, and hope for the better. They were lucky not to concede more against West Ham.
Team News
Mesut Ozil’s illness means he could be out for this weekend’s game as well, whereas Sead Kolasinac is yet to join team training. Laurent Koscielny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are out as well.
Probable Arsenal XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Unai Emery
Petr Cech (GK)
Cech has made some terrific saves despite being twitchy with his feet. With Bernd Leno still expected to take time to acclimatise, the veteran shot-stopper should continue playing.
Hector Bellerin (RB)
The Spaniard has been suspect defensively, however, he has made a considerable amount of impact on the other side of the pitch.
Skhodran Mustafi (CB)
Mustafi has been alright barring the odd mistakes. With Koscielny out, the German is expected to partner Sokratis in central defence.
Sokratis (CB)
The new signing is expected to be at the heart of defence, with Emery likely to give him time to settle down.
Nacho Monreal (LB)
Slowly getting back to full fitness, Monreal is there to be deployed at left-back.
Lucas Torreira (CM)
This is the game where the Uruguayan might be given the start ahead of the young Guendouzi, who has been terrific as well.
Granit Xhaka (CM)
Xhaka looks a better player when there is a defensive midfielder playing behind him. Emery might go for this combination in the midfield and see whether it works.
Alex Iwobi (LW)
Iwobi has had a good start to this season. The Nigerian seems to be working hard to impress the new manager.
Aaron Ramsey (CAM)
The Welshman is at his best when he plays as a No.10, making late runs into the box and pressing the opposition higher up the pitch.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (RW)
The Armenian should increase his work rate if he intends to nail down his spot.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST)
The striker hasn’t been at his best so far and Emery would love to see him score goals.
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