Arsenal failed to impress against Cardiff City, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette goals were enough in a 2-1 win.
2018/2019 Premier League
2-1
Match Report
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were on target as an unconvincing Arsenal beat Cardiff City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, bouncing back from defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Unai Emery's men failed to impress despite largely controlling proceedings, though they benefited from Bruno Ecuele Manga's haplessness at the back for Aubameyang's penalty, and Lacazette put the game beyond Cardiff before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's stoppage-time consolation.
After pre-match tributes to Cardiff's missing striker Emiliano Sala, the visitors gave a good account of themselves in a first half of few chances, looking just as lively as their hosts, though they were perhaps fortunate Ecuele Manga did not concede a spot-kick shortly before the interval.
The Gabonese defender failed to learn his lesson, however, finding himself penalised in the second period and his compatriot Aubameyang converted, before Lacazette put the result beyond doubt with a fine effort of his own.
Match Events
66'Penalty Goal! Arsenal 1-0 Cardiff City (Aubameyang)
GOOOOOAL! 1-0 Arsenal! Aubameyang makes no mistake from the spot, stepping up to send Etheridge the wrong way and tucking home his 15th Premier League goal of the season.
68' GREAT CHANCE! Iwobi's shot saved
BIG SAVE! Iwobi, having played the pass that led to the penalty, has space on the left and charges into a shooting position. Only a strong hand from Etheridge can deny the Gunners a second goal.
83'GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Cardiff City (Lacazette)
GOOOOOOOOAL! 2-0 Arsenal! Brilliant from Lacazette! It has been a frustrating evening for him but he responds in perfect fashion, picking up the ball on the touchline, quickly getting back to his feet after being felled by Bamba and charging through on goal to fire a venomous effort past Etheridge.
93' GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Cardiff City (Mendez-Laing)
GOOOOAL! 2-1! Something from nothing for the visitors! The Gunners fail to deal with a cross into the middle and it falls to Mendez-Laing, who cuts inside away from Iwobi before finding the bottom corner.
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: M. Özil, S. Lichtsteiner, Nacho Monreal, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Mustafi, Bernd Leno, M.Elneny, Kolasinac, L. Torreira, M. Guendouzi
Subs: P. Čech, Ramsey, G. Xhaka, Carl Jenkinson, A. Iwobi, K. Mavropanos, Nketiah
Cardiff City XI: L. Peltier, A. Gunnarsson, B. Écuélé Manga, S. Bamba, Arter, J. Bennett, N. Etheridge, B. Reid, J. Ralls, O. Niasse, C. Paterson
Subs: J. Hoilett, A. Smithies, N. Mendez-Laing, G. Cunningham, K. Harris, Kenneth Zohore, Rhys Healey