By Boris Mellor
January 8 2006

Never underestimate lower division teams, a few years ago Cardiff knocked out Premiership Leeds out of the FA Cup. These clubs present a banana skin for the unwary.

  Last year Arsenal slipped on lower division opposition, Sheffield United, playing at home and then having to go away for a replay. It only takes a sending off; a goalmouth mistake and the top flight can concede a goal. Just the kind of opportunity that Sam Hamman’s crazy gang will be looking for.

 

Keeping that in mind Wenger will not dilute his first team too much. Henry will be rested, but in spite of some rotation, 90% will be experienced players. Van Persie and Freddy may return. Arsene has the added headache of playing Wigan in the Lager Cup on Tuesday; once again he will put out quite a strong team. All this has to be juggled with the fact that the Premiership remains an important part of Wenger’s season. He cannot afford to rest on chasing the pack ahead of us.

 

Cardiff have quite a few players with premiership experience, including former Arsenal player Rhys Weston. It’s the biggest game of the year for Cardiff, they won’t take it lightly. Arsenal can’t afford to slip up, a visit to Cardiff is not to be relished, Sam the man believes they represent the whole of Wales, and encourages the singing of a song, that involves sheep, that cannot be reproduced on a family website.

 

Make your prediction

You have up to 1pm tomorrow to visit the prediction board and enter your forecast for tomorrow (Top left Menu, 4^th link down). At the end of the season there is a prize of Arsenal goodies to the value of £20.