Arsenal boss Unai Emery has had to field a makeshift defence amidst his injury crisis, with Nacho Monreal shifted into the centre.
Mohamed Elneny was another who could have potentially found himself dropped back into the centre-back role, but he has found himself given a starting role in midfield, possibly to give his side extra protection.
Mesut Ozil returns for the starting line-up to take on the Bluebirds, and is promoted to captain in the absence of Laurent Koscielny, who has succumbed to injury, with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech also not in the starting line-up.
There was a nice gesture in the programme ahead of tonight’s match, including the name of Emiliano Sala in the squad for the visiting side, after the striker signed for Cardiff only last week before going missing on his flight over the channel, and is yet to be found.
I imagine the visitors will play with some mixed emotions today, and I expect there to be a tremendous amount of respect shown with the thoughts of Sala in people’s minds at present.
That does not mean that our team will be taking anything for granted today, and you shall expect plenty of goals.
This line-up fills me with confidence despite the make-shift defence, and I’m going for a 4-1 win.
What are your predictions?
Pat J