Cardiff City 2-3 Arsenal: Hits and flops

Hit- Danny Ward

Ward scored his first Premier League goal against Arsenal

Ward personally needed this performance, as did Cardiff. They hadn’t scored in any of their opening three league fixtures, and really lacked a threat going forward. This was Ward’s first start in the Premier League, and he looked like a real handful for Arsenal’s defenders. He was involved in some good link up play with Bobby Reid, and he really deserved his goal when it came. That is certainly the sort of level of performance he will hope to keep up in the coming weeks.

Flop- Harry Arter

Arter looked like an excellent signing for Cardiff when they bought him in on a season long-loan from Bournemouth, as he bought that Premier League experience that they were lacking. He was expected to be a calming influence in the middle of the park, but he has been the exact opposite in reality. He hasn’t always been great in possession, but he has been so rash in his tackling. He was lucky not to be sent off against Newcastle United a couple of weeks ago, and he was booked again today. It will be a struggle for Cardiff whatever happens this season. They cannot afford to be playing with ten men.