Arsenal 2-1 Cardiff City: 5 Talking Points | Premier League 2018-19

#4 Manga madness cost Cardiff

Manga's moment of madness cost Cardiff

Cardiff City arrived at the Emirates in the 18th place. Though the trip to Arsenal might not have been looked upon as one that would fetch points, Cardiff shot themselves in the foot by constantly indulging in needless infringements.

In the first half, Mike Dean waved away Arsenal’s first claim for a penalty when Lacazette decided to stay on his feet. The striker superbly pirouetted his way past Manga and was unfortunate not to be awarded the penalty.

However, minutes later, Manga hacked Lacazette from behind on the right edge of the penalty box. Dean, though, was unmoved again. Despite a couple of bites, Cardiff were still not shy of putting their foot in wrongly and were eventually punished when Manga as he tripped Kolasinac in the 65th minute.

Till then, Cardiff had been causing the Gunners real problems with their physicality. Yet, Manga’s dubious decision handed Arsenal the initiative and Cardiff never really fought back after going a goal down.