- Aaron Ramsey has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season (57)
- This marks the first league meeting since 17 March 1962 โ a 1-1 draw at Arsenal
- Only Manchester United and Aston Villa have gained more points from losing positions than Cardiffโs five
There will be a rambunctious battle in Cardiff this Saturday as the Bluebirds host Arsenal (watch live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports Live Extra) in front of a sold out stadium in the Welsh capital.
Cardiff have already had a great success at home in their first-ever season in the Premier League as theyโve already beaten Manchester City and last time out they snatched a last-gasp draw with Manchester United.
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Are league leaders Arsenal the next team to suffer at the hands of Malkay Mackayโs side?
Cardiff have had a solid start to life in the big-time and are extremely tough to beat, especially at home. Against the top 10 theyโve won twice and draw twice in seven games as their fight and determination to prove they belong in the PL shines through against the big boys.
But Arsenal arenโt going to roll over easy as their new found tough streak will hold them in good stead on Saturday. Their last PL away game was a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United but the Gunners have previously gone on long winning-streaks away from the Emirates and they have the best away record in the PL (W4, D1, L1).
Midfield is where this game will be won and lost as former Cardiff City star Aaron Ramsey returns to face his hometown club. Ramsey, 22, has been in terrific form for the Gunners this season and is arguably the Premier Leagueโs player of the season so far. He will face a stern task against the likes of Gary Medel and Aron Gunarrsson in the engine room.
Injury wise, Cardiff have no new concerns and will likely start with the same side which drew 2-2 with Manchester United last week. Arsene Wenger must decide whether or not to start with Theo Walcott after his return from injury in the last two games from the bench, while Kieran Gibbs is back in the squad.
What theyโre saying
Arsene Wengerโs on Cardiffโs never-say-die attitude: โThey look to have good solidarity, good togetherness [and] fantastic support as well. They are all on the same wavelength in the team and are very efficient at home on set-pieces. Even on Sunday when they were 2-1 down against Man United, many teams could have thought โOK, itโs Man United, we will not come backโ. But you always had the feeling that they donโt give up. You could feel that they would come back. They have that special attitude and belief in the side, and that makes them dangerous.โ
Malkay Mackay on Aaron Ramseyโs homecoming to Cardiff: โI hope he gets a great reception here and I am pretty sure he will. He is a fine young man, I met him a couple of weeks ago when the Welsh squad were here. He popped in and at that point I said to him to make sure that in a couple of weeksโ time he goes easy with us. Itโs good to see a young British player grasping the nettle at Premier League level and actually being one of the main men at Arsenal.โ
Prediction
As well as Cardiff played last week against Manchester United, I donโt think the same approach will work against Arsenal. Their pressing, work rate and determination was impressive but they canโt get pushing high up the field against the Gunners because players like Ozil, Cazorla and Wilshere will pick them off to easily. A disciplined defensive display where they let Arsenal have the majority of the ball is the only way the Bluebirds can get something from this. I donโt think theyโll be able to do that, Iโm going for an away win with Olivier Giroud to cause plenty of problems.
