Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after his cross was turned in for an own goal by West Ham United’s French defender Issa Diop for Arsenal’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON
EPL: Cardiff vs Arsenal – team news, preview and kick-off time
It’s an EPL clash of style versus substance as Unai Emery’s flashy Arsenal visit Neil Warnock’s stubborn Cardiff on Sunday.
Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after his cross was turned in for an own goal by West Ham United’s French defender Issa Diop for Arsenal’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON
Arsenal go to Cardiff in the Premier League on Sunday, fresh from their first points of the season.
The Gunners saw off London rivals West Ham 3-1 at the Emirates last time out.
It was a much-craved victory after Unai Emery was left pointless following his first two games as coach.
Nacho Monreal pulled his side level after Marko Arnautovic’s early strike for the visitors had threatened to darken the north London mood yet further.
Issa Diop was then helpless in deflecting Alex Lacazette’s cross into his own net via his chest on 70 minutes.
And Danny Welbeck made productive use of time and space to add the third in injury time.
It helped soothe a difficult start to the season, which had begun with defeats against Chelsea and Manchester City.
Cardiff have set their stall out as awkward customers after winning promotion back to the big time from the Championship.
Gnarled old boss Neil Warnock doesn’t do soft and fluffy – and neither do his teams.
This one also doesn’t appear to do goals, with not a single one to show for their first three assignments on returning to the top flight.
His Bluebirds have scrambled to goalless draws against Huddersfield and Newcastle, following an opening weekend loss at Bournemouth.
Most frustrating was an inability to score against the Terriers’ ten men last time out after the sending off of Jonathon Hogg for the hosts.
But Warnock and Co will love the chance to usurp the city slickers from the capital at their Cardiff City Stadium home in the Welsh capital.
Cardiff team and injury news
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing faces three months out with his knee injury.
He joins Aron Gunnarsson on the sidelines although Junior Hoilett could make a comeback, subject to a late fitness test.
Arsenal team and injury news
Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Carl Jenkinson and Laurent Koscielny are all out until at least October thanks to their respective injury woes.
It remains to be seen whether Mesut Ozil will make an appearance in Wales or not.
Kick-off time
14:30 (SAST) at the Cardiff City Stadium.
EPL form (most recent result first)
Cardiff: DLL
Arsenal: WLL
Premier League head-to-head record
Cardiff wins: 0
Arsenal wins: 2
Draws: 0
