After losing twice in their last two games in all competitions, Arsenal will look to bounce back when they take on Cardiff City at home.
Unai Emery’s side lost 3-1 to Manchester United last Friday and were subsequently dumped out of the FA Cup.
The loss wasn’t the only blow Arsenal suffered as Sokratis Papastathopoulos picked up an injury and will miss at least a month’s action.
The Gunners will still start as the favourites against Cardiff City even though their resources at the back have been stretched.
Arsenal Team News
It remains to be seen if Laurent Koscielny will start for the Gunners, but at this point in time, it seems highly unlikely that the Frenchman will face Cardiff.
Koscielny suffered a bruised face after a collision with Romelu Lukaku, and though the fears of a fracture were allayed by Emery, the game might come too soon for the player.
Sokratis joins Rob Holding on the sidelines, which leaves Arsenal with just Mavropanos and Shkodran Mustafi as recognised centre-back options.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup
Defence
We expect Mavropanos and Mustafi to start at the heart of the defence, though Emery has the option to play Nacho Monreal alongside Mustafi.
Sead Kolasinac should feature in the left-back position, while Stephan Lichtsteiner might start on the right. Bernd Leno will return in goal after being rested for the cup tie last time out.
Midfield
A three-man midfield, featuring Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka is the way to go against Cardiff. Torreira’s presence would provide more protection to the defence, while the duo of Xhaka and Guendouzi can rotate possession well.
Aaron Ramsey might be given the nod to start just behind the strikers as the Welshman has been in good form. Ozil is likely to miss out.
Ramsey has scored twice and provided six assists so far tin the Premier League, and his impending exit hasn’t affected his form on the pitch.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette should start against Cardiff as Arsenal look to get back on track.
Though Cardiff have struggled defensively, the Gunners perhaps need both their strikers to get the best out of the two.
Aubameyang – Lacazette
Ramsey
Guendouzi – Xhaka – Torreira
Kolasinac – Mavropanos – Mustafi – Lichtsteiner
Leno
