Arsenal v Cardiff City team news: Lukas Podolski to start up front for the Gunners in Olivier Giroud's absence

German international has scored five goals in his last five league appearances

Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski (right) (GETTY IMAGES)

Lukas Podolski will lead the line for league-leaders Arsenal against Cardiff City today, with frontman Olivier Giroud missing the match because of an ankle injury.

The Spaniard Nacho Monreal comes in for Kieran Gibbs at left-back. Gibbs is out with a calf strain. Theo Walcott had been a doubt because of a shoulder problem but is fit to start.

For Cardiff City, Molde coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has travelled to London for a final round of talks with Bluebirds' owner Vincent Tan and is at the Emirates Stadium to watch the match.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Caulker, Turner, John, Whittingham, Medel, Kim, Noone, Mutch, Campbell.

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