Arsenal limped to a 2-1 win over Cardiff City tonight in what turned out to be a much tougher match-up than expected.
The visitors came here with little hope of a result, but also with heavy hearts after the recent tragedy surrounding the club. There was plenty of respect shown for the missing (presumed dead) pilot and Cardiff’s recent signing Emiliano Sala.
We started the match in bright style, attacking quickly and smartly and had a number of chances in the opening 25 minutes, but our opponents managed to get themselves into the match, and I have to say were the better team for the rest of the first half.
Once again we go into the break level, but I think we needed the break to reorganise ourselves and get back on track.
We were much more switched on after the interval but continued to struggle to get that final ball to the right man, and thankfully the right decision was made after some more positive play by Sead Kolasinac.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is up to take the spot-kick, and how calmly does he slot that away… It’s now ours to lose.
Cardiff continued to try and get themselves back on level terms, but failed to give Leno any serious challenges, and Lacazette put the game to bed with less than 10 minutes left on the clock thanks to Aubameyang’s lay-off.
When five added minutes were put up on the clock, nobody could have expected a resurgence, but the passionate visiting side managed to grab a goal back through a substitution, but that wasn’t enough for a point.
Cardiff may feel a little hard done by, but overall, the best team won.
Would this display have been punished by a better side?
Pat J