French international Alexandre Lacazette scored the winner as Arsenal got their second Premier League win this season with a 3-2 success away to Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.
Cardiff twice came from behind to level the scores, but Lacazette’s 81st-minute strike proved enough for the Gunners to collect all three points from Wales.
Cardiff’s high press made it an uncomfortable start for Petr Cech between the Arsenal sticks, with the experienced goalkeeper almost caught out on a couple of occasions inside his own box. The home side had a golden chance to take the lead in the eighth minute when Cech presented Harry Arter with the ball in a shooting position, but the midfielder’s strike was too high.
Arsenal had an opportunity of their own moments later when Aaron Ramsey found space inside the Cardiff box, but the Welshman’s low effort was saved by the diving Neil Etheridge. Etheridge then kept out a low Hector Bellerin strike, but Arsenal took the lead from the resulting corner, with Shkodran Mustafi’s bullet header flying into the back of the Cardiff net.
Nacho Monreal had the chance to double Arsenal’s lead in the 15th minute following a mistake from Bruno Ecuele Manga, but Etheridge was on hand to make another smart save. Cardiff had two big chances of their own in the 19th minute, but Danny Ward just failed to meet a low cross from Bobby Reid, before Junior Hoilett fired over at the far post.
Arsenal almost doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Lacazette looked to pick out the bottom corner with a low strike, but the ball rebounded off the inside of the post. Neil Warnock’s side were level just before the interval, however, with Victor Camarasa firing into the roof of the net after Arsenal failed to clear a dangerous Joe Bennett cross from the left.
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
More suspect passing from Cech presented Cardiff with the chance to take the lead early in the second period, but Hoilett’s effort was wide of the post. Lacazette had Arsenal’s first chance of the second half in the 50th minute, although the Frenchman’s effort from close range flew high of the Cardiff goal.
Mustafi then saw a close-range header saved by Etheridge, before Xhaka’s powerful strike deflected wide of the post during an eventful period of the match.
📈 | Alexandre Lacazette in the last 9 starts:
⚽️ 8 goals
🎯 2 AssistsWhat a player.🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/Wq0GwSfpM6
— Arsenaloholic (@ArsenalohoIic) September 2, 2018
Arsenal did eventually regain the lead in the 62nd minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed an excellent passing move by firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Cardiff again came from behind to level in the 70th minute, however, with Danny Ward angling a brilliant header into the bottom corner after Morrison had made first contact. Etheridge then kept out another Mustafi header 15 minutes from time as Arsenal looked for a third, with a low cross from Bellerin almost falling for Ramsey during an open spell.
Lacazette joining in with the goals. His powerful strike has put Arsenal 3-2 up. #CARARS pic.twitter.com/6sBCyhpllo
— Liam (@EmileSmithRowe_) September 2, 2018
Arsenal took the lead for a third time in the 82nd minute though, with Lacazette firing into the top corner after turning inside the Cardiff box once again, and that proved to be the winner at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Cardiff starting XI: Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Arter, Camarasa (Madine 89′), Ralls; Reid, Ward (Zohore 84′), Hoilett
Arsenal starting XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Xhaka, Guendouzi (Torreira 70′), Ramsey; Ozil (Welbeck 84′), Aubameyang (Mkhitaryan 89′), Lacazette