Three Things We Learned From Cardiff Vs Arsenal

Giant-killers Cardiff City welcomed league leaders Arsenal to the Cardiff City Stadium, the newly promoted side were looking to keep their impeccable record against the Premier League’s big guns in tact, while Arsenal were looking to keep adding points to their lead on Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Aaron Ramsey Isn’t Fading Away Any time Soon

The Welsh midfielder opened the scoring against his old club with an angled header courtesy of a cross from record signing Mesut Ozil. The Wales International didn’t stop running the whole game and opened the Welsh defence on a few occasions. He also would have added his name to the assist list, as he wonderfully got himself past 2 defenders to square the ball to Olivier Giroud, only for the Frenchman to hit it straight at Turner who was waiting on the line. A big part of Arsenal’s early season rise, Ramsey looks to be in it for the long haul.

Although Ramsey scored twice, he failed to celebrate against his former club where it all began for the midfielder and Cardiff fans for their part, cheered Ramsey after his magnificent performance. Arsene Wenger also hailed the rejuvenated midfielder for his match winning display.

“It shows you how much Aaron Ramsey has improved,” said Wenger, quoted by the Mirror. “We came here two or three years ago and he had a nightmare here in a cup game, which shows you how much improved he is as a player.

“You are always torn between being happy to score and happy you can win the game, but out of respect for the club where he was educated he didn’t celebrate.”

“Everyone was impressed by the occasion, so it just shows you how mature he is now. He just came here today, played his game as he does usually and scored two great goals.”

Wojciech Szczesny Has Come Of Age

Now at the age of 23, the Poland international was running out of excuses as to why he was failing to repay the faith Arsene Wenger had shown in him. He stopped Cardiff from finding a way back into the game on several occasions, but his save from Fraizer Campbell’s header on the 52nd minute was out of the top drawer, already moving to his left expecting Kieran Gibbs to deal with it, the England international shied away from the aerial challenge leaving the Polish goalkeeper with no chance, though he somehow stretched enough to his right to push the ball out of the area, a candidate for save of the season.

Kieran Gibbs Unworthy Of A Spot In Arsenal’s First XI

With Nacho Monreal an option at left-back for Arsenal, Wenger must see something that I do not in the Englishman, as on several occasions, if it wasn’t for the wonderful Szczesny picking up the pieces, the Gunners would have found themselves in a tough spot, and it would have been all Gibbs’ fault. Although he may only be back from injury, there is no excuse to back down from aerial challenges from the likes of Fraizer Campbell, as he is not known for his height, or lack of it. With a Spanish International rotting on the bench, Wenger must come up with a good excuse before Gibbs loses Arsenal a match which they cannot afford to lose. One must think what will come of him if Arsenal are still in the race for the title on matchday 30, when the dreaded trip to Stamford Bridge comes around.

Watch the match highlights here: