English Premier League Report: Arsenal v Cardiff City 29 January 2019

The Blue Birds got off to a bright start after Oumar Niasse threatened with a shot, before Bobby Decordova-Reid flashed an effort wide on 12 minutes.   On the half an hour mark, the visitors pressed forward again and Joe Bennett's goal-bound free-kick deflected just wide of Bernd Leno's upright.   Arsenal were fortunate to be still on level terms after a delightful ball from Callum Paterson from the right landed to Reid, who failed to hit the target from close range.   With the Gunners struggling to break Cardiff, Unai Emery made a substitution at the start of the second half, hooking off Mohamed Elneny for Alex Iwobi.   The hosts were eventually awarded a penalty after 66 minutes  after Sead Kolasinac was taken out by Bruno Manga. Aubameyang took the initiative and sent the ball straight down the middle.   Two minutes later, Etheridge pulled off a strong one-handed save to deny Iwobi as the Gunners searched vigorously for a second.   Following a slow final quarter, Arsenal grabbed their second goal with six minutes to go when  Lacazette's driving run resulted in a close-range finish.   Into the final minute of proceedings, Cardiff landed a consolation strike through Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who steered home from close range as the Gunners held on for three points.