Arsenal facing injury crisis

Premier League leaders Arsenal will be without striker Olivier Giroud (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (calf) for the New Year’s Day game against Cardiff.

Midfielders Tomas Rosicky (calf) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) both face fitness tests, as does England forward Theo Walcott (shoulder). Defenders Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen have both been laid low by illness.