It is not often that we get to play Cardiff City as they spend quite a lot of time in the Championship, but we all know Neil Warnock and his penchant for causing shocks. He has atually managed 11 different teams in the time that Arsene wenger was at Arsenal!.
Well this is what he told the Official Cardiff FC website yesterday…..
Neil Warnock held a pre-match press conference as he prepared his squad for this Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
City’s opening three Premier League games have yielded two points, with Warnock’s men keeping two consecutive clean sheets.
The Gaffer reflected on their top flight start, whilst addressing the need for his men to take their opportunities in upcoming matches.
“I think the lads have given everything they can and I’ve been quite pleased with the performances,” he began. “That includes against Bournemouth – and I think in every game, we could have got something.
“If [Sean] Morrison’s chance went in on the hour, the last 30 minutes would have been different at Bournemouth, and in the other two, I think we should have won both games.
“I’ve been pleased with that, but if you go higher, you’ve got to take your chances. It’s down to me more than them – I know what my lads can do and I’ve got to come up with a solution. You’ve got change all the time as a manager.
“I want to enjoy the games against the big boys, if that’s possible. My tactics have got to reflect that, and that’s by giving us a chance to score goals.”
The City boss also revealed what he expects from Unai Emery’s Arsenal this Sunday, whilst regaling the press and media with his account of facing the Gunners’ former manager, Arsène Wenger.
“I’ve been pitting my wits against Wenger for so many years it’s untrue,” said Neil. “I went to the Emirates with Sheffield United for my 1000th game.
“I said: ‘look at the dugouts, Arsène. They’re miles away – you’ll not hear me today!’
“He looked nonchalantly at both dugouts and said: ‘Neil, you will find a way.’ [laughs]
“So, I’ve had some good times with Arsène, and I was sad because the grass is not always greener. But I do like Emery – I think he’s got some great vision and some fantastic players – but it will be great to pit our wits against them.”
Match Preview: Cardiff City vs. Arsenal
The Bluebirds face Unai Emery’s Arsenal side at home this Sunday afternoon, as Neil Warnock’s men take on the Gunners in front of a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium.
In the hot seat
Emery took charge of the Gunners back on the 23rd May, replacing Arsène Wenger, who called an end to his 22-year reign over the Gunners.
Emery made six summer signings including Mattéo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira who have both impressed in their opening three fixtures since arriving at the North London club.
The Spaniard has encountered a mixed start to life in the English capital, with his opening two matches both ending in defeat to Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. However, Emery who has managed over 700 professional games, recorded his first win as Gunners boss last weekend, as his side ran out 3-1 winners against Manuel Pellegrini’s Hammers.
The former Paris Saint-Germain manager had a staggering 76.3% average win percentage during his stint in the French capital, where he won several major honours. Emery secured the Ligue 1 title in 2017/18 and both the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 campaigns.
Emery’s longest spell as a manager was at Valencia, where he guided ‘Els Taronges’ to two impressive third place La Liga finishes, securing the Spanish outfit Champions League Football during the 2009/10 and 2011/12 campaigns. The Spaniard has also managed the likes of Lorca Deportiva, Almería, Spartak Moscow, Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain prior to taking charge of Arsenal.
Memorable Meeting
Cardiff City 0-0 Arsenal, 25th January 2009
This recent meeting saw City hold Wenger’s Gunners at Ninian Park in a FA Cup Fourth-Round – just three years after the Bluebirds scored the last FA Cup goal at Highbury, courtesy of Cameron Jerome.
City began this tie on the front foot in the opening stages and were agonisingly close to getting their noses in front. Scotsman Ross McCormack fired astray of Lukasz Fabianski’s goal on two occasions. The first opportunity came from a header which failed to test the goalkeeper. McCormack then failed to connect cleanly with his second attempt which fizzled across goal.
The Bluebirds conjured up further opportunities through Jay Bothroyd whose effort was wayward, before Joe Ledley and Paul Parry missed opportunities of their own.
And City were nearly made to pay after 21 minutes by Samir Nasri, but Peter Enckleman was on hand to deny the Frenchman.
The Gunners enjoyed more of the play after the interval but failed to break down the Bluebird’s resolute wall and Dave Jones’ side held firm to earn themselves a deserved replay.
Club Connections
Aaron Ramsey could return to the Welsh Capital this weekend to face his hometown club once more. Ramsey, who departed the Bluebirds for the Gunners back in 2008, starred in the last Premier League encounter between the two sides at Cardiff City Stadium, scoring twice in November 2013.
Ramsey began his professional career in 2007, coming on as a substitute against Hull City at Ninian Park. He was the youngest player to make their professional debut at the club at just 16 years and 123 days, breaking the previous record held by John Toshack.
Ramsey made his first start for the Bluebirds away at Chasetown in January 2008 in our Third Round clash, as City embarked upon an FA Cup campaign that would ultimately finish at Wembley.
Others to wear the shirt of both Arsenal and City include Derek Tapscott, Rhys Weston, Kerrea Gilbert, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and current Bluebird, Matthew Connolly, who captained the Gunners’ reserve side.