Arsenal make short work of Cardiff
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Arsenal strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both scored in the second half to give the Gunners a 2-1 win over Cardiff in the Premier League on Tuesday, in the visitors' first game since the plane carrying record signing Emiliano Sala disappeared last week.
Aubameyang's penalty gave Arsenal the lead in the 66th minute and Lacazette doubled the advantage with a well-taken solo goal in the 83rd, before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing pulled one back in injury time for Cardiff.
It was an emotional game for Neil Warnock's side, as the missing Sala and pilot David Ibbotson were remembered throughout a somber evening in north London. Two days after Sala's transfer to Cardiff from Nantes, the small passenger plane carrying the Argentine striker and Ibbotson disappeared over the English Channel.
Warnock and his staff wore daffodils — a national emblem for Wales — and the yellow flowers were handed out to both Cardiff and Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium before the game.
The away fans held up a large banner reading: "We never saw you play and never saw you score, but Emiliano our beautiful Bluebird we will love you forever more."
Warnock had described the past week as "by far the most difficult" of his 40-year career in management, but it was actually the visitors who had the better first half.
Bobby Reid had two good chances to put Cardiff ahead but he shot just wide after Mohamed Elneny failed to control a bouncing ball, and then headed over from Callum Paterson's cross. Cardiff also wanted a penalty when Oumar Niasse went down in the box between Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac, but referee Mike Dean dismissed appeals.
Arsenal's attacking play was disjointed throughout most of the evening, in part because of an incessant cold rain that turned into snow in the second half and in part because the decisive pass, touch or cross was repeatedly missing.
Lacazette also wanted a penalty shortly before the break and Arsenal did get a spot kick when Kolasinac was brought down in the left side of the area by Bruno Ecuele Manga. Aubameyang converted for his 18th goal of the season.
Neil Etheridge saved from halftime substitute Alex Iwobi moments later, before a solo goal from Lacazette sealed the victory. The France striker had the ball up on the right, picked himself up after a challenge by Sol Bamba and out-paced the Cardiff defender before scoring with a hard low shot.
Ramsey headed narrowly wide before substitute Mendez-Laing curled in a low shot in stoppage time.
The win puts Arsenal provisionally level on points with fourth-place Chelsea, while Cardiff remained in the relegation zone.
AP
What time does it start?
Arsenal vs Cardiff kicks off at 19.45.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live in the UK. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day at 10.20pm on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Stephan Lichtsteiner: The Swiss defender has had a tough start to life in England with his defending in Arsenal’s 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in December roundly criticised. He will likely feature against Cardiff due to his side’s defensive absentees and so he will need to step up and improve on recent performances.
Best stat…
1961: Cardiff have not beaten The Gunners in all competitions since February 11 1961 when goals from Graham Moore, Brian Walsh and Peter Donnelly gave manager Bill Jones a crucial win at Highbury.
Remember when…
Nicklas Bendtner’s goal for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Cardiff in the Premier League in 2014 featured involvement from 10 players, only Laurent Koscielny not getting a touch of the ball in the build-up to the goal.
Player to watch…
Alexandre Lacazette: While his strike partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stolen the limelight this season with 14 goals, sitting two behind top-scorer Mohamed Salah, it is the Frenchman who is enjoying the better run of it of late. Goals in two of his last three league appearances make Lacazette the man to look out for against Cardiff.
Past three-meetings…
Cardiff 2 (Camarasa, Ward) Arsenal 3 (Mustafi, Aubameyang, Lacazette), Premier League, September 2018
Arsenal 2 (Bendtner, Walcott) Cardiff 0, Premier League, January 2014
Cardiff 0 Arsenal 3 (Ramsey 2, Flamini), Premier League, November 2013
Form guide…
Arsenal: LWWLWL
Cardiff: DWLLDL
Odds…
Arsenal to win: 2/7
Cardiff to win: 12/1
Draw: 5/1
(Odds provided by Betfair)
A full midweek slate of Premier League action, then, to close January as it began with a flurry of football.
Six games this evening - four beginning in just half an hour, and then two more kicking-off at 8pm.
This man's back in the Arsenal team, and he's got the captain's armband...
There is of course plenty more footballing intrigue both on and off the field during the rest of the week, with transfer deadline day looming.
Arsenal could be one club with business yet to come, most notably their pursuit of Barcelona's Denis Suarez.
A loan move to London is back on:
It is an outgoing rather than a potential incoming dominating chatter around Old Trafford.
Marouane Fellaini's ill-fated stint in Manchester could soon come to an end, and he may be following national teammate Mousa Dembele to China...
It has been two days of twists, turns and tumult in the North West, with Rafa Benitez stirring the pot yesterday with some choice words about his future (or lack thereof) with the club.
Perhaps the timing of positive news on the transfer-front is a little too convenient, then. Newcastle host Manchester City this evening:
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