Alexandre Lacazette’s 81st-minute winner saw Arsenal edge out a spirited Cardiff side 3-2 for Unai Emery’s first away victory as head coach.
Shkodran Mustafi headed the Gunners ahead after 12 minutes from an Aaron Ramsey corner, but goal-shy Cardiff had several chances to level before Víctor Camarasa turned Joe Bennett’s cross home at the second attempt in first-half injury-time.
The goals kept flowing after half-time with a brilliant curled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finish from outside the box (62) putting Arsenal back ahead, before Danny Ward levelled from a Sean Morrison flick at a free-kick (70).
But Emery’s first away success was secured nine minutes from time when Lacazette swivelled and fired a rocket of a shot inside Neil Etheridge’s near post.
