PREVIEW: CITY v ARSENAL

An in-depth look at the Bluebirds' clash with the Gunners

Cardiff City v Arsenal
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday, 30th November, KO 3pm
Match-tag:#CARARS (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER

The Bluebirds welcome current Barclays Premier League table toppers Arsenal to Cardiff City Stadium for a first visit to the Welsh Capital since 2009.

MATCH FACTS

        -- Peter Odemwingie has scored in two of his three Barclays Premier League starts against Arsenal.

        -- Arsenal are unbeaten in the last 11 matches in all competitions against Cardiff City, winning six and drawing five.

        - - Only Manchester United and Aston Villa have gained more points from losing positions than Cardiff this season (five).

         -- Aaron Ramsey made 16 league appearances for Cardiff City before being signed from the Welsh side by Arsenal in 2008. He also made six league appearances on loan in 2011.

         -- Aaron Ramsey has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season (57).

         -- Only in 2007-08 and 2003-04 (30) have Arsenal had more points after 12 matches of a Premier League season than they have mustered so far this campaign (28).

         -- Only one of Olivier Giroud’s 18 Premier League goals in his Arsenal career have been scored outside of London.

         -- Only one of Arsenal's last 22 Premier League opponents has managed to score more than one goal in a game against the Gunners (Aston Villa, 3-1 in August).

         -- Three of Cardiff's six home games this season have been decided by goals in the 87th minute or later (W1, D1, L1).

         -- The Bluebirds have only lost three of their seven games against top-half opposition this season (W2, D2).

KEY PLAYER: Aaron Ramsey

Cardiff City Academy product Aaron Ramsey is having the season of his career since his move to the Emirates in 2008 to be instrumental in the Gunners’ rise to the top of the Premier League table. 11 goals in all competitions underline what is being seen as a breakthrough campaign for the Welsh International who has made 24 appearances already this season for club and country.

IN-FORM PLAYER: Olivier Giroud

Ten goals in all competitions for the French International has well and truly established Giroud as the leading Arsenal front man this campaign. Scoring important goals at crucial times already this campaign, including a brace against Southampton to claim three points at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Cardiff City: LLDWLD

Last time out: Cardiff City 2-2 Manchester United – Sunday, 24th November, Barclays Premier League

A last minute header from substitute Kim Bo Kyung claimed a 2-2 draw and excellent point for the Bluebirds against current Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United. Wayne Rooney put United ahead with just 15 minutes on the clock before Fraizer Campbell equalised for the Bluebirds by scoring against his former club.

Patrice Evra fired home a header just before the interval to put David Moyes’ side back in front before City’s South Korean star Kim Bo Kyung claimed a vital Premier League point.

Team – Cardiff City: Marshall (GK), Théophile-Catherine, Taylor, Caulker (capt), Turner, Medel, Whittingham, Mutch (Kim 77), Cowie, Odemwingie (Noone 65), Campbell (Cornelius 84). Subs not used: Lewis (GK), Hudson, Gunnarsson, Bellamy.

LWWLWW Arsenal:

Last time out: Arsenal 2-0 Marseille – Tuesday, 26th November, UEFA Champions League.

The Gunners move to the top of Champions League Group F and a step closer to qualifying for the last 16 with a dominant 2-0 victory over Marseille thanks to a Jack Wilshere brace. Wilshere opened the scoring just 33 seconds into the match before making sure of an important three points by doubling the Gunners’ advantage in the second-half.

Team – Arsenal: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Monreal, Koscielny, Flamini, Ozil (Arteta, 82), Ramsey, Wilshere (Walcott, 75), Rosicky (Cazorla, 75), Giroud. Subs not used: Vermaelen, Gnabry, Fabianski, Bendtner.
                                 

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:

Monday, 16th February 2009 – Arsenal 4-0 Cardiff City – Emirates Stadium, Att.57,237

Two goals from the returning Eduardo Da Silva was the highlight of this FA Cup Fourth Round replay as the Gunners ran out 4-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium, Nicklas Bendtner and Robin Van Persie grabbed the other goals in this cup clash.

Team – Cardiff City: Heaton, McNaughton, Purse (sub. Blake), Johnson R., Kennedy, Burke, Rae (sub. Scimeca), Ledley, Parry (sub. Whittingham), Bothroyd, McCormack. Subs not used: Sak, Capaldi, John son E., Comminges.

REFEREE: Lee Mason

Having been appointed as an assistant referee in the Premier League from 2000 to 2002, Lee Mason was given the opportunity to referee in the top flight four years later, and he has maintained his position as a Select Group referee ever since.

Mason was appointed as a Football League referee in 2002 and took charge of the 2006 League One Play-off Final between Barnsley and Swansea City before making the step up to the Premier League in the same year.

As well as consistently taking control of Premier League matches from 2006 onwards, Mason refereed the 2009 FA Youth Cup Final between Arsenal and Liverpool. Additionally, the Lancashire-born official is chairman of the Bolton Referees’ Society.

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