Arsenal betting preview

Arsenal used to enjoy their regular visits to the Welsh capital when the Millennium Stadium played host to the FA Cup final between 2001 and 2006.

Their return to Cardiff last month was anything but a pleasant walk down memory lane, however, as Cardiff created a glut of chances which should have resulted in a famous giant killing, but missed opportunities meant that Dave Jones' side had to settle for tonight's lucrative replay.

Arsenal have been at their most impressive this season when the kids have been on display in front of their own support in the Carling Cup, with the likes of Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere and former Bluebird Aaron Ramsey to the fore.

With the path to the semi-final clearly mapped out in front of him, Arsene Wenger is unlikely to entrust the glittering opportunity to salvage the club's season which has presented itself in the hands of the youngsters, though.

Tonight's line-up is likely to be a mish-mash of Carling Cup regulars and supposed wise old heads like William Gallas and Kolo Toure, and therein lies Arsenal's problem.

Their defence has had more holes in it than a cabinet minister's expenses form this season and they simply can't be trusted to keep a clean sheet against an upwardly mobile Cardiff side.