Premier League
Arsenal vs Cardiff City Preview
- Date: Jan. 29, 2019
- Time: 2:45 p.m. (est)
- Network: NBC Sports Gold
- Location: London, England
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 60,260
Both of these teams need these three points for many different reasons.
Arsenal, they continue to be in a fight for the Top Four and need to keep the heat on city rivals Chelsea.
The Gunners have been void of the big London Derby win over Chelsea. Unai Emery saw the grit and the tenacity in abundance return to his team. This is exactly what they will need to keep the pressure on their rivals.
Meanwhile, Cardiff is battling against relegation and last positions. However, the club has been hit hard with the disappearance of record-club-signing Emiliano Sala. Both team captains will lay a floral tribute on the pitch ahead of the match.
Views From Both Camps
Arsenal head coach Emery:
“Our focus now is very clear: the Premier League. We’re also going to play the Europa League with big motivation. It’s one way to the Champions League.”
“We need to be concentrated for the three points like we were against Chelsea.”
Additionally, Emery will be without Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Laurent Koscielny and Danny Welbeck. Sokratis Papastathopoulos will continue to be out for at least two to three weeks with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has returned to action but not indication that he will partake in this match.
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock on the disappearance of club record signing Emiliano Sala:
“It has been a traumatic week and even now I can’t get my head around the situation.”
“It’s impossible to sleep. I’ve been in football management for 40 years and it’s by far the most difficult week in my career, by an absolute mile.”
“It’s probably hit me me harder than anyone else as I’ve met the lad and talked to him for the last six to eight weeks.”
Additionally, Warnock will also be without the services of Sean Morrison due to a recent appendicitis operation. However, having players in the right frame of mind for this game will me the most difficult decision.
Possible Lineup
Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Monreal, Kolasinac; Torreira, Xhaka; Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Cardiff XI: Etheridge; Peltier, Ecuele Manga, Bamba, Bennett; Hoilett, Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Peterson, Murphy; Niasse.
Prediction
Arsenal are only three points back of Chelsea, they have won their last five games at home and are unbeaten in their last 11 games at Emirates in League play. Additionally, Arsenal have won their previous three matches against the Bluebirds.
Meanwhile, Cardiff slipped into the bottom three after some bad performances and are struggling to score goals on the pitch. Off the pitch, Cardiff, the club and the entire Premier League have been sadden by the tragic loss of Sala last week.
Both clubs are set to honor the missing striker tonight. Perhaps the Bluebirds can honor their teammate by getting a win tonight.
Arsenal 1 – 1 Cardiff City
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