Arsenal back on top as late goals see off Cardiff

ARSENAL 2 CARDIFF CITY 0
By Ricky Butler at the Emirates

Nicklas Bendtner makes the late Arsenal breakthrough against Cardiff

LATE GOALS from substitute Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott sent Arsenal into 2014 back on the top of the Premier League as Cardiff City's brave resistance was finally broken.

It was looking set to be a frustrating start to the New Year for Arsene Wenger as Cardiff's mass defence kept his side at bay for long periods. But with just 90 seconds of normal time remaining, the much-maligned Bendtner smashed home a loose ball inside the six-yard box to bring relief all around the Emirates.

That proved to be the Danes final contribution however, as he injured his ankle in the act of scoring and was forced off to rapturous applause.

Walcott, with four goals in his previous four matches since returning from injury, then sealed the points in stoppage time with a clever finish to a superb Jack Wilshere pass to send the Gunners back to the top.

Wenger said: "We needed to be patient against a very good Cardiff side. They did work absolutely hard, their new manager was in the stands. They deserve credit and were a bit unfortunate to lose in the end.

"I think we were mature, intelligent and resilient. I felt in the first half it took us a while to get in our stride and our pace was a bit slow. We did all right in the second half but didn't take our chances and they defended very well.

"We know we have to play 10 home games and we want to make this place a fortress and take the points no matter what the others do.

"If we can manage to do that we will be in a very strong position."

Wenger was forced into three changes to the side that had won 1-0 up at Newcastle on Sunday; Nacho Monreal, Mikel Arteta and Lukas Podolski replacing Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky and Olivier Giroud.

But the new-look side were slow out of the blocks against a Cardiff side looking to impress new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was watching from the directors' box.

Without a win at home for almost a month and having seen Manchester City replace them at the top with victory at Swansea earlier in the day, Arsenal looked nervy from the start. Although dominating possession they were unable to penetrate the well organised and hard working Welsh side.

With Wilshere and Santi Cazorla busy, the chances slowly began to come with Walcott firing into the side netting and then just failing to get on the end of an Arteta cross.

Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty just before the break when Wilshere appeared to be caught by Gary Medel but referee Jon Moss waved away their appeals and it remained goalless at half time.

The second period looked to be a similar story as Wenger's side was once again unable to break down the blue-shirted wall in front of them. But the introduction from the bench of Bendtner and Rosicky with twenty minutes to play finally opened up the game.

A series of corners saw Per Mertersacker twice head wide from good positions before Wilshere hit the post following a raking run into the penalty area.

But just as it looked as though Cardiff would hold on for a point, Bendtner made the breakthrough.

Monreal's cross from the left found the head of opposite full-back Bacary Sagna, but Bluebirds goalkeeper David Marshall produced a fine save down to his left. However, the Danish striker reacted quickly to smash the rebound into the roof of the net to send the Emirates wild.

The goalscorer then had to make way due to an ankle injury but in the second minute of stoppage time, Walcott latched on to a lovely flick from Wilshere to clip the ball over Marshall and send the Gunners back to the top.

Theo Walcott celebrates sending Arsenal back to the top

Despite the defeat, Cardiff caretaker manager David Kerslake was pleased with what he saw from his team. He said: "The players have given their all and I thought they had done enough to get a draw.

"We knew we would be good enough to soak the pressure, not a lot of teams can do that."

When asked about the presence of Solskjaer at the match, Kerslake said: " I'm not even sure how much the players knew. They are very professional boys and gave it their best.

"If I was a gambling man I would say yes, it will be my last game in charge. I am contracted to the club and until the owners and chairman say so that is the case.

"I have 100% belief this squad are good enough to stay in the Premier League."

ARSENAL - Szczesny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Flamini (Rosicky 64), Walcott, Cazorla, Wilshere, Podolski (Bendtner 64), (Vermaelen 89).

CARDIFF CITY - Marshall, MaNaughton, Caulker, Turner, John, Medel (Gunnarsson 61), Noone, Kim, Mutch (Cowie 67), Whittingham, Campbell (Maynard 79).

REFEREE - J. Moss

MAN OF MATCH - Wilshere (Arsenal) - Drove his team on and looked back to his best.

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