MATCH THREAD: “ ARSENAL v CARDIFF CITY “ MATCH THREAD

The plans to honour Emiliano Sala at tonight's Arsenal v Cardiff City match -


Tuesday 29th January 2019


Cardiff City and Arsenal will both honour missing striker Emiliano Sala at the Emirates tonight as the Bluebirds return to action for the first time since his disappearance.

Both team captains will lay a floral tribute on the pitch ahead of the match, but black armbands will not be worn at the request of the family.

Some teams wore the armbands on Saturday before the FA was informed the family did not want this as Sala has not been confirmed dead. You can read that story here.

Chief executive Ken Choo has revealed their plan to remember the Argentine, with further tributes planned for the home match against Bournemouth next Saturday. Staff and fans will wear yellow daffodils at the Arsenal match.

Choo said earlier this week: "At this point in time we haven't finalised everything, but we will be wearing yellow daffodils on behalf of the club (against Arsenal)," Choo said.

"It is a yellow flower, the flower of Wales and has significance to Nantes. We feel for FC Nantes, their fans and players. They definitely know Emiliano better than we do and it is tougher for them, at this point in time."

The official search for Sala and pilot David Ibbotson was called off on Thursday evening with no trace of them or the Piper PA-46 aircraft having been discovered by rescue teams. A new private search is now under way. You can read the very latest live updates here.

On Friday afternoon Sala's distraught sister Romina was at Cardiff City Stadium to see the mass of tributes left around the foot of the Fred Keenor statue.

She insisted she still believes her brother is alive, and Choo also said he and the club hope the search can be resumed. The Sala family say they will conduct a privately funded attempt to locate their loved one.

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My team for tonight

Etheridge

Jazz
Manga
Bamba
Bennett

Arter
Gunnerson
Camarasa

Murphy
Niasse
Harris

Subs, Smithies, Cunnigham, Ralls, Hoilett, NML, Patterson, Reid

I think we will be jaded tonight and a bit off the pace, Arsenal will probably take a comfortable three clear goal win, unfortunately.

I don't know why we didn't get this game postponed

Why would we? Leciester didn't after the loss of their owner. Its a tragedy but we need to move on.

Frankly, in addition to the fact that the manager has said he's not that interested due to shock and the team don't know what's hit them, it'd give us the opportunity to get some new players in before the rescheduled game.

I think we will be jaded tonight and a bit off the pace, Arsenal will probably take a comfortable three clear goal win, unfortunately.

At least three changes by the sounds of it as Warnock said three players have been rubbish in training, and with Morrison being injured we could cop a spanking?

Fingers crossed Arsenal pay their respects and feel sorry for us.

I think we will be jaded tonight and a bit off the pace, Arsenal will probably take a comfortable three clear goal win, unfortunately.

At least three changes by the sounds of it as Warnock said three players have been rubbish in training, and with Morrison being injured we could cop a spanking?

Fingers crossed Arsenal pay their respects and feel sorry for us.

Could it be Manga ? did he play with him/against him at all?

Let's hope it isn't Camarassa ffs

We are now into the run of games where we must pick up points, yet we are doing so without the promised reinforcements or revamp .
I don't know why we're doing this, since we had a way to stall it, but I hope it's not because we've already got all the new ammunition that's really coming. We've only been there to make up the numbers in the last few games, and took hidings which didn't surprise me, but I thought we had a plan to turn it round.
If something is being done about the absence of a competent right back, insufficient midfield options and enough credible goal scorers, there aren't many games left to do it, so again I don't know why we are wasting the opportunity to prepare better fir one of them.
If nothing's actually being done , well I'm not going to say it but you know what will happen .

We are now into the run of games where we must pick up points, yet we are doing so without the promised reinforcements or revamp .
I don't know why we're doing this, since we had a way to stall it, but I hope it's not because we've already got all the new ammunition that's really coming. We've only been there to make up the numbers in the last few games, and took hidings which didn't surprise me, but I thought we had a plan to turn it round.
If something is being done about the absence of a competent right back, insufficient midfield options and enough credible goal scorers, there aren't many games left to do it, so again I don't know why we are wasting the opportunity to prepare better fir one of them.
If nothing's actually being done , well I'm not going to say it but you know what will happen .

You've already said it....We will finish 10th

If there's any inspiration for the team from a situation like this; play like it's the last game you'll play, you may not get another chance.

We need 11 warriors tonight.

We are now into the run of games where we must pick up points, yet we are doing so without the promised reinforcements or revamp .
I don't know why we're doing this, since we had a way to stall it, but I hope it's not because we've already got all the new ammunition that's really coming. We've only been there to make up the numbers in the last few games, and took hidings which didn't surprise me, but I thought we had a plan to turn it round.
If something is being done about the absence of a competent right back, insufficient midfield options and enough credible goal scorers, there aren't many games left to do it, so again I don't know why we are wasting the opportunity to prepare better fir one of them.
If nothing's actually being done , well I'm not going to say it but you know what will happen .

You've already said it....We will finish 10th

Well that's because I insist on setting high objectives , and I don't either like or accept failing to reach them ,as you appear to do. It's not over till the fat lady sings, so I won't join you in your celebrations just yet, but in order to succeed we need to act decisively and I merely express my concern that I don't see much sign of that.
We've known what was needed for a long time and so it should have been done by now . I know there's been a major setback but that's something we'd better rectify quickly and it's no excuse for not signing a right back or a defensive midfielder.

TEAM NEWS

Cardiff City: Etheridge; Peltier, Manga, Bamba (capt.), Bennett; Gunnarsson, Arter, Ralls; Reid, Paterson, Niasse.

Arsenal: Leno; Lichsteiner, Mustafi, Monreal, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Torreira, Elneny, Ozil (capt.), Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Both Sol Bamba and Mesut Ozil make their way to the centre circle to leave daffodils.

Pre-match rituals well underway, with both teams out now.

Cardiff fans hold up yellow cards, and THAT banner is unfurled.

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Early freekick for Arsenal

Joe Ralls gives away a freekick for going in a little too hard on Mesut Ozil and the hosts have an early freekick midway inside the Cardiff half.

It’s initially played back before some nice build-up down the left eventually tees up Lacazette, but he makes a total mess of it and the danger is cleared.

Stadium looks half empty no atmosphere embarrassing

After an important block from Bruno, City go up the other end and @Callump7 almost connects with @Joe_Ralls' corner. (0-0)

Ralls wins it well on the left, and feeds Niasse. The forward does well with a probing run out wide, but a lack of options forces him into the corner.

He wins a corner for his team that’s well whipped in by Ralls and met by the head of Paterson, but it’s blocked and Arsenal clear.

Cardiff have been looking good

Bright from the #Bluebirds as @niassebayeoumar threatens before @bobbyreid93 fires just wide. (0-0)

Bobby Reid header over the cross bar

decent opening 15 mins

Penalty ?

Oumar Niasse was brought down

Ref says no, City players calling for it

Definite pen, monreal stuck his leg out how dean didn’t give it I don’t know

Niasse is looking lively tonight. He wins a corner off Mustafi down the left. Ralls to take...

Cardiff have had the best of the first 25mins, but we need a goal

Hangs in the air promisingly enough, but Arsenal’s defence manage to clear.

Bobby Reid a real handfull tonight

I don't know why we didn't get this game postponed

Why would we? Leciester didn't after the loss of their owner. Its a tragedy but we need to move on.

Yes they did?

Their Premier League fixture one week after wasn't.

But they still cancelled their first fixture after the tragedy. This is our first? Doesn't matter who it's against. Just saying like.

Talking rubbish it doesn’t matter if it’s the first game it’s the amount of time between the incident an the game that matters

JoeBennett27's goalbound free-kick is deflected wide. (0-0)