Arsenal clinched a thriller at the Vicarage Road against Cardiff to snatch three points. Manager Emery Unai would be content with the grit shown in the victory and with the attacking display but poor defending at times will add cracks to his forehead.
The Gunners started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Cech, Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafa, Monreal; Xhaka, Guendouzi; Aubameyang, Ozil, Ramsey; Lacazette. The Cardiff starting 11 was: Etheridge, Camarasa, Manga, Morrison, Bennett, Hoilett, Arter, Ralls, Bamba, Reid, Ward.
Arsenal enjoyed 74% ball possession and played 635 passes, compared to 233 passes of Cardiff. Clearly, the Gunners saw more of the ball. Cardiff had 14 shots (3 being on target) and Arsenal had 17 shots with 11 being on target.
Arsenal defender Mustafi handed them an early lead at the 11th minute as his powerful header met Xhaka’s corner to find the net with perfection. However, his ‘Albanian Eagle’ celebration can cause punishment from the FA as it has a display of political symbolism.
Xhaka's corner finds Mustafi in the box, who gives Arsenal the lead with a powerful header. 1-0 pic.twitter.com/zb636r5uHV
— Terje (@TerjeGIFs) September 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoDuSu/status/1036233082108608512
2 minutes into the stoppage time after the regulation 45 minutes in the first half, Camarasa equalized for Cardiff to score Cardiff’s first PL home goal this season as he fired into the top of the net. Xhaka was mainly responsible to give away the ball that led to the attack to the goal against sloppy Arsenal. Joe Bennett’s calculated cross from the left was the feeder of the goal.
Victor Camarasa’s goal is Cardiff’s first goal all season, becoming the last team to finally score a goal in the 92-club English top-flight (PL, Championship, L1, L2) this season. #afc pic.twitter.com/gk5rkjPsGQ
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 2, 2018
Aubameyang restored Arsenal’s lead at the 62nd minute with a gorgeous humdinger from a Lacazette assist.
Aubameyang with a gorgeous strike to restore the lead for Arsenal. 2-1 pic.twitter.com/mEIbUaRgpT
— Terje (@TerjeGIFs) September 2, 2018
Cardiff leveled terms once again as striker Danny Ward scored at the 70th minute. As Sean Morrison headed the ball for Ward, the forward scored from a fantastic header to nod in off the net.
At the 81st minute, Lacazette put his name into the scoresheet with a thunderous strike to the top of the net as Torreira fed him.
https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1036255596507553792
https://twitter.com/NutmegRadio/status/1036255253316947968
For Cardiff, Camarasa was the best player. Reid also stole the show. The Bluebirds fought valiantly as they did not allow the Gunners to dominate the space much.
Lacazette has now been directly involved in 10 goals (8 goals and 2 assists) in his last nine starts for the London club. Torreira was outstanding once again with 100% passing accuracy (26/26 passes), 33 touches, 3 tackles, 1 dribble, 1 interception, and 1 assist.
*Match Highlights*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P7Rl76JuCY
