Cardiff City are unified on and off the pitch in their quest to find a way to stay in Premier League football.

Bluebirds’ fans in pubs around the city centre were unanimous, saying: “We’ll support this team to the end.

“They give 100 per cent, they entertain and they showed against Arsenal they can score goals.”

Injured winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing tweeted after Cardiff’s 3-2 home defeat: “Unlucky today! Thought the boys were excellent! Deffo deserved something! Fans were class! #CityAsOne #Bluebirds.”

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge said: “Disappointing not to get anything from the game today. The boys dug in deep and we did everything we could. Great support once again at the CCS! Great volume all game! #cardiffcityfc #bluebirds #cityasone #goalkeeper.”

Long-term Bluebirds fan Nigel Harris continued the love, tweeting: “Great game, fantastic effort, brilliant noise, unlucky result.  City gave it a bloody good go, played some lovely football at times and had the better chances but Arsenal quality up front told … just. Set pieces must improve.”

There were similar comments in the Old Arcade and the Borough when I stopped off for post-match refreshment.

There is no question the addition of Harry Arter on loan from Bournemouth and Victor Camarasa, who joined City from Real Betis, have added a new dimension to Neil Warnock’s team.

 

The pair enable Cardiff to play a passing game when the time is right, adding more than a touch of quality through the middle, and they can go long when needed.

Personally, I loved the input of Danny Ward, the busy dangerous striker who scored an outstanding goal to make it 2-2.

Ward had to generate his own power when he headed towards goal from the edge of the penalty area. a chance set up by captain Sean Morrison, and watched in delight as the ball went past Petr Cech and bounced in off the far post.

“I’m delighted for Wardy,” said Warnock. “He’ll enjoy watching that goal again. He’s worked so hard, coming back from an injury that kept him out most of last season.”

The Bluebirds boss was delighted with the character, spirit and sheer willingness to battle shown by his players, who suffered the cruellest of 3-2 defeats against Arsenal.

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Twice City fought back from a goal down to draw level only to go down after a winner which was the result of sublime individual skill.

Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette was the striker who broke City hearts after 81 minutes. His first touch and first time finish from an angle were pure class.

Home fans had welcomed goals by Camarasa and Ward with wild celebrations and an outpouring of noise.

“You don’t always get what you deserve in football,” said Warnock. “The lads deserved better than defeat, but that’s life.

“I want us to try and entertain and allow fans to go home talking about the match. They would have done that today and I thought it was a great advert for us.

“I was asked if I’d settle for another 0-0 draw? I suppose the answer is yes, but I want to enjoy the way we play, and I did enjoy it today.

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“The lads showed an awful lot of character again. We had four or five excellent chances and I had my head in my hands a few times. I think Arsenal would have taken the chances we missed and that’s the difference.

“We could have had five or six, but this is something we need to learn. It’s a learning curve, but I’m so pleased with the attitude of the lads, they give everything for me.

“We decided to be brave and I’m glad we were. We restricted Arsenal to only a few opportunities. We will take the positives from the good things that we did.”

Warnock and his players can look back with pride on their effort and commitment they showed in possibly the most exciting Premier match of the season.

The football purists will point out the errors made by both teams, but they only added to the excitement at Cardiff City Stadium.

More than 32,000 fans turned up the noise levels and played their part on a day when the home team showed they can go toe-to-toe with top level teams and scrap it out.

Unai Emery, Arsenal’s manager, said: “I enjoyed the win. In the 90 minutes it was difficult. 

“We controlled the match. Not every time, but 70% on the pitch with possession, positioning attacking movement. It’s important to continue working.

“One goal for Lacazette, one for Aubameyang, but I think every other player worked well with the commitment we want. We are happy for that and we are evolving.”

Sky pundit Craig Bellamy said: “Arsenal are a lot better opposition than Cardiff have faced over the last few years.

“We know it’s going to be difficult at times, but the fans will stay on side and the players will give everything they have.

“The defeat against Arsenal is disappointing, but there are an awful lot of positives to take from that performance.”

The difference between the teams, undoubtedly, was the quality of finishing. Arsenal’s goals were taken in clinical style, while the Bluebirds wasted too many opportunities.

City produced their best performance of the season so far and Arsenal looked shellshocked at times. Cardiff players fought as though their lives depended on it and home fans fired up a thunderous atmosphere around the stadium.

Petr Cech, remarkably, looked nervous in goal for Arsenal and that showed when he nudged an attempted clearance to Harry Arter on the edge of the penalty area.

The midfield player was presented was a glorious shooting chance, but lost his composure and his effort flew high and wide.

Arsenal went ahead after 11 minutes when Shkodran Mustafi headed powerfully into goal from 15 yards, losing marker Bamba to convert from a corner taken by Granit Xhaka. Poor defending, good movement and superb finish.

That was a blow, but Cardiff fought on. They are not a team likely to go into their shell following a setback and they continued to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal.

Left-back Joe Bennett was a threat down his side when he went forward, while Decordova-Reid’s low ball across the six yard box area left the Gunners wide open and Danny Ward was desperately close to turning it home.

Lacazette hit a post with a low show which flew past the outstretched hand of Neil Etheridge, who was relieved when it bounced back into play.

On each occasion Arsenal went ahead Cardiff responded by stepping up the tempo and firing up their performance again.

Camarasa equalised during first half injury time when Hoilett started the move, Bennett crossed from the left, Ward caused chaos with his presence and the ball flew across goal.

Spanish midfield player Camarasa took a touch, turned quickly and smashed his shot into the net past a helpless Cech.

It was an outstanding finish and a major blow to Arsenal.

That ended a wait in 1,596 days since Cardiff last scored a top flight goal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired Arsenal back in front just after the hour with right-foot shot from outside the penalty area, but once again City reacted with determination.

Their second equaliser was an absolute delight. Morrison headed back across goal following a corner played deep and Ward used his neck muscles to generate power and send his header across goal and into goal off a post.

It was a beautifully worked goal and, once again, the Gunners were rocked.

Cardiff players showed a massive willingness to work for each other and produced an outstanding effort in matching Arsenal for long periods, but the Londoners had that touch of extra quality which proved the difference.

Lacazette produced his finishing masterclass less than 10 minutes from the end, but even then Morrison went close when he headed over from a decent chance.

Cardiff must be given credit for their part in an hugely entertaining match and the Bluebirds can take plenty of positives from the 90 minutes.

Cardiff created the chances needed, scored two goals and missed opportunities which could have earned them a point or more.

Warnock’s Warriors do, though, go into the international break outside the bottom three.

Cardiff City: Neil Etheridge, Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison (capt), Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett, Victor Camarasa (Gary Madine 89), Harry Arter, Joe Ralls, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Danny Ward (Kenneth Zohore 84). Subs not used: Lee Peltier, Callum Paterson, Greg Cunningham, Kadeem Harris, Brian Murphy.

Arsenal: Petr Cech, Hector Bellerín, Shkodran Mustafi, Socratis Papastathopoulos, Nacho Monreal, Matteo Guendouzi (Lucas Torreria 70), Granit Xhaka, Mezut Ozil (Danny Welbeck 84), Aaron Ramsey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Henrikh Mkhitaryan 89), Alexandra Lacazette. Subs not used: Mohamed Elneny, Stefan Lichtsteiner, Rob Holding, Bernd Leno.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 32,316.