We left it late but got there in the end thanks to Super Mick Bedntnaaaar and Theo Walcott. Three points all that matters.

Here’s how the players rated.

Wojciech Szczesny: 7/10 – Made a big save at the end to keep the clean sheet, but solid throughout and no moments of madness.

Bacary Sagna: 7/10 – Consistent as ever and it was from his ‘f*ck this, someone’s gotta score’ header that Bendtner got the opening goal.

Per Mertesacker: 6/10 – We love the BFG, and he was as great as ever at the back, but missed two headers which would have given him nightmares if we hadn’t managed to win the game. They might still give him nightmares.

Laurent Koscielny: 7/10 – If he was one of the X Men his name would be Mr Efficient. Keeps strikers quiet as a matter of routine. They just look around and wonder how they got in his pocket.

Nacho Monreal: 7/10 – Got forward well throughout the game. Showed the Man City performance was an aberration and it was his cross which led to Arsenal’s first goal.

Mathieu Flamini: 6/10 – Probably in the team because of injury to other midfielders rather than the threat of Cardiff. He does a good job but we looked more dangerous after he went off.

Mikel Arteta: 7/10 – Metronomic as always, making 45 of 45 successful passes in the 2nd half. By comparison, the entire Cardiff team made 57 successful passes in the same period.

Jack Wilshere: 8/10 – Arsenal’s most dangerous player on the day, created good chances for Walcott and Cazorla, hit the post, and deserved the assist at least. Always looked to drive the team forward.

Santi Cazorla: 7/10 – Looked a lot more like his old self. Still hasn’t found his shooting boots but was involved in some clever combination play throughout.

Theo Walcott: 7.5/10 – Another goal, that’s 5 in the last 5 games, and even if some of his play is frustrating at times, he’s got end product. Some very nice set-piece deliveries too.

Lukas Podolski: 5/10 – Anonymous in the first half, more involved in the second, but did little to suggest he’s the man to fill the Handsome French gap that existed today.

Subs

Nicklas Bendtner: 7/10 – It’s a real shame he knackered himself scoring the goal because he deserved to celebrate it. Nice to hear the crowd sing his name as he limped back towards the dug-out.

Tomas Rosicky: 7/10 – Added extra zip and drive to the team at a time when we were really piling on the pressure on Cardiff. He’s such a positive player.

Bonus rating

Cardiff’s keeper: bet you wish you had more time to waste after we scored, you slothy kicker/10

Feel free to debate and discuss in the comments, but please read the comment policy first and don’t get angry with each other, or me, about imaginary points.

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