Another Sunday fixture brings about a first league meeting with Cardiff City since the 2012/13 season. The Bluebirds are back in the big time but are seriously struggling for goals, and I fully expect an attacking Arsenal to take full advantage.
There's no doubting that the Gunners are still adapting under Unai Emery, and things (especially at the back) aren't going overly well. However, change takes time and progression is evident in all aspects of the game, with distance covered and intensity levels on the rise. Passing out from the back is also now the name of the game. The other side of the pitch, in the attacking third, Arsenal look far more at ease. There have been struggles; against Man City we fired blanks, at Stamford Bridge we missed five or six, and the first 45 against West Ham was pretty painful but ultimately goals have come. Worryingly Lacazette and Aubameyang are yet to get off the mark but I am convinced that this will change against Cardiff, for one if not both.
Lucas Torreira and Alex Lacazette have to start this game. Both have been introduced as substitutes in most games so far and have thoroughly impressed. The stats are there and prove that Torreira is exactly what we've needed since the days of Gilberto Silva. He's combative, organised, energetic and physical...a combination of traits that no other Arsenal midfielders possess. Lacazette on the other hand has shown that his intensity and direct running is much more of a threat that Aubameyang has proved to be, so far. In preseason, the two together looked dangerous and we've seen that they have a great friendship so why not let it burn on the pitch? I can understand against the likes of Man City and Chelsea, having both is too attacking especially away from home. But against the lesser teams that we should be beating comfortably, the two together (Lacazette up the middle with Aubameyang from the left) should be deployed. However, just because I think it should happen, doesn't mean that Emery will oblige - but it remains to be seen.
Monreal's return has been timely putting in a couple of impressive performances, and although Guendouzi has impressed on the whole, after a headless stint against West Ham, it is probably time to see Ramsey, Xhaka and Torreira in a midfield three. It has all the ingredients for a fantastic mix; Torreira the holding midfielder, Xhaka the deep lying playmaker and Ramsey the box-to-box midfielder. None as a number 10 but with Torreira behind the other two, Arsenal could thrive. Although this would mean Ozil out of position (or even out the team completely), it could be an inspirational move should Emery go for it. I anticipate Iwobi, Mkhitaryan and Welbeck to push for one wide spot with Ozil or Aubameyang coming from the other. The hope is to see Lacazette start as the central striker. Although Cech between the sticks has been pretty solid, his footwork is still suspect but I anticipate the back four and 'keeper to remain the same. Cup football isn't far away and I foresee Leno getting his chance there first, rather than displacing Cech in the league.
Cardiff are savvy, have guile and plenty of grit but are lacking confidence going forward. They have some decent, Premier League level players but not enough to really drive the team and win football matches. At home, the crowd will get behind them and surely help, as will throw-ins and corners but Warnock's men will struggle to keep them out the other end. The likes of Hoilett and Arter are leading players who'll be looking to take it to the Gunners and their best route to success is pressured set pieces and high intensity. This could happen as a start but I don't imagine they will maintain the levels needed for such an approach for the game's entirety. Certainly, Cech and co need to be aware of the set piec threat and be prepared to be under the cosh in a hostile atmosphere. Neil Warnock has been saying that the home crowd funds their intensity and desire, and they'll need plenty of both to deter Arsenal.
Expected lineup:
GK: Petr Cech
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Skhodran Mustafi
CB: Sokratis
LB: Nacho Monreal
CDM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Aaron Ramsey
RW: Alex Iwobi
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 3-0...this week Aubameyang and Lacazette will both surely get off the mark.
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