English Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs Cardiff City

Arsenal host Cardiff City on New Year’s Day as the Bluebirds return to the Emirates almost after five years, the last they visited the Emirates Stadium was in February 2009, which was an FA Cup replay. After going three matches without a win with draws against Chelsea & Everton at home and hammering against Manchester City at the Etihad, Liverpool overtook the Gunners and were the league leaders over the Christmas period. Liverpool’s joy was short lived when Arsenal won back to back away games against West Ham United and Newcastle United, reclaiming their top spot at the Premier League table. The Gunners would be hoping to maintain their good run of form as whoever has finished the year on top of the English Premier League for last four seasons, has gone on to win the title

CARDIFF, WALES – NOVEMBER 30: Bacary Sagna of Arsenal tussles with Peter Odemwingie of Cardiff during the Barclays Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal at Cardiff City Stadium on November 30, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

• SO far this season:

ARSENAL		CARDIFF CITY
56	Average Possession (%)	45
85	Passing Accuracy (%)	74.7
54.5	Shooting Accuracy (%)	35.7
8	Clean Sheets	5

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After 0-3 loss to Southampton at the Cardiff City Stadium, The Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay was relieved of his managerial duties. Cardiff City then earned a point against Sunderland after drawing 2-2 at home. City are currently placed 16th in the Premier League table with a goal difference of -15, just two points above relegation threatened teams. The Gunners have failed to score in the first half of the game in four of the last 5 Premier League outings. The Bluebirds have not scored a single goal in the last three encounters with Arsenal. It will be a tough task to go and get a point at the Emirates and that too against the League Leaders but with Arsenal struggling with injuries, there is a ray of hope for the Welsh team.

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TEAM Performance:

	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GF	GA
Arsenal at Home	9	6	2	1	16	6
Cardiff City away from Home	9	1	3	5	5	15

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TEAM News:

• Arsenal: Mesut Ozil is unavailable for the game with a shoulder injury. Aaron Ramsey will be out for two to three weeks. Olivier Giroud won’t be involved as he has ankle problem while Gibbs, Monreal, Wilshere, Vermaelen, Rosicky & Walcott are all doubtful to play on the New Year’s Day. Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby are the long term absentees while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to make a return to the first team in few days time.
• Cardiff City: Welshman Craig Bellamy is still struggling with a knee injury while Left Back Andrew Taylor is also set to miss the game. Declan John should continue the defence. Caretaker boss David Kerslake will have to decide to pick up either Aron Gunnarsson or Peter Odemwingie.

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OPTA Stats:

• Arsenal are unbeaten in the last 12 matches in all competitions against Cardiff City, winning seven and drawing five
• Cardiff are unbeaten in three league trips to Arsenal (W1 D2), though the most recent of these came back in 1962
• Arsenal have only scored 16 times in nine Premier League home games this season
• Only Everton have conceded as few goals as Arsenal (18) this season in the top flight
• Only 18 different players have started a Premier League game for Cardiff this season, fewer than at any other Premier League club
• Cardiff have fashioned more attempts from indirect free-kick moves than any other side this season (20 – almost three times as many as Arsenal on seven)
• Arsenal’s substitutes have provided four assists this season, more than any other team
• The Gunners have conceded fewer fouls than any other Premier League team this season (184) but seven clubs have received fewer yellow cards
• Of the seven players to have picked up a league-high six yellow cards in the Premier League this season, Mathieu Flamini has committed the fewest fouls (13).

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MATCH Officials:

• Referee: Jonathan Moss.
• Assistants: S Long, S Child.
• Fourth Official: P Gibbs.