Team News
Arsene Wenger has a lengthy injury list to contend with for the game with up to 12 senior players potentially being unavailable.
Olivier Giroud has been ruled out with an ankle injury while Kieran Gibbs is also out with a calf strain. The duo join Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil on the sidelines after they were ruled out for up to three weeks with thigh and shoulder injuries respectively.
Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are also facing late fitness tests after collecting knocks against Newcastle, while defenders Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen are still rated as doubtful with the illness that saw them miss the trip to the North East.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a week from returning from a knee injury, but Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby are still some way from fitness.
With so many injuries, Nicklas Bendtner is likely to start up front while Lukas Podolski could also make his first start in over four months.
Cardiff will be without veteran attacker Craig Bellamy for the trip to the capital with the Welshman struggling with a knee injury.
Defender Andrew Taylor is also out so Declan John will continue to fill-in at left-back. Peter Odemwingie and Aron Gunnarson are pushing for recalls.
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