A late strike from Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal a 3-2 win over Cardiff City on Sunday in Wales.
Despite some obvious defensive issues in the Arsenal camp, the Gunners got off to the perfect start when Shkodran Mustafi powered home a header from a corner early on in the game.
However Cardiff hit back on the stroke of half-time when new signing Victor Camarasa fired home at the back post, the Bluebirds' first Premier League goal of the season.
Victor Camarasa of Cardiff City celebrates with team mates after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
At times it felt like a competition as to which team could make the most defensive errors, and Neil Etheridge again proved his worth to Cardiff, making a number of saves.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's fine strike from the edge of the area gave Arsenal the lead but again Cardiff drew level, this time thanks to Danny Ward's powerful header.
However Lacazette had the final say when he thundered a strike past Etheridge to get the goal his performance deserved.
Despite Arsenal's first away victory of the season, questions will no doubt be asked by Unai Emery, meanwhile Cardiff can take some comfort from a valient effort against a far superior - at least on paper - team.
TALKING POINT – Has Petr Cech had his day?
In general, the Arsenal defence was at best frail, throughout. Though Cardiff had by far fewer shots on goal than the visitors, it was far too easy for them to equalise – twice. In particular there were some howlers by Cech, who almost gave away a goal in the opening minutes of the game.
Granit Xhaka and Petr Cech of Arsenal celebrate victory after the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH – Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette looked threatening throughout with an early effort deflecting off the post. He had his moment later, however, not only scoring the winning goal, he also had a hand in Aubameyang’s earlier effort with a great link-up.
Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal celebrate victory after the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Cardiff: Etheridge 7, Ecuele Manga 6, Morrison 7, Bamba 6, Bennett 6, Arter 6, Camarasa 6, Ralls 6, Hoilett 7, Reid 7, Ward 7. Subs: Zohore 5, Madine 5.
Arsenal: Cech 5, Bellerin 6, Mustafi 6, Papastathopoulos 5, Monreal 6, Guendouzi 6, Xhaka 6, Ramsey 7, Ozil 6, Aubameyang 7, Lacazette 8. Subs: Mkhitaryan 5, Torreira 5, Welbeck 5.
KEY MOMENTS
11’ GOAL! Shkodran Mustafi makes a good connection with the ball and fires a powerful header in the back of the net.
29’ CHANCE! Bobby Reid makes a fantastic over-head kick at the goal after Arsenal fail to clear the ball in any kind of efficient fashion. It's close but not the one.
45+2' GOAL! Camarasa scores Cardiff's first goal of the season on the stroke of halftime!
62’ GOAL! Aubameyang makes it count! A great flick by Lacazette who crosses to Aubameyang just outside the six yard box, hitting the bottom corner of the net.
69’ GOAL! Danny Ward gets his first Premier League goal and equalises with the visitors! A free kick outside the box meets Morrison who passes to a waiting Ward, who heads it in.
Danny Ward of Cardiff City celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
81’ GOAL! Lacazette makes the difference again today! He controls the first touch on the half turn, swings round and shoots above Etheridge's outstretched arms.
KEY STATS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now scored 150 league goals across five of Europe’s top leagues.
Cardiff scored their first Premier League goal of the season on their 41st attempt.
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