Watched by manager in waiting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cardiff City under David Kerslake put in another battling performance but were done again by two late goals.
City came close to shocking title contenders Arsenal with a resilient and dogged defensive display but they were finally breached by substitute Niklas Bendtner in the 88th minute. The Dane reacted quickest after David Marshall saved from Bacary Sagna's header. Bendtner slammed the ball home and then injured himself and was subbed with an injury that will keep him out for a number of weeks.
For the second game running Cardiff had conceded late to drop points. As the game restarted with five minutes injury time to add on Theo Walcott latched onto Jack Wilshere's flick and chipped over Marshall to make it 2 - 0.
It may have been a depleted Arsenal side with no Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud or Gibbs but they still had enough quality to keep Cardiff on the back foot for the whole second half. The pressure was building and it would have been some effort if Cardiff hand managed to keep them out.
The first half was more even. The only effort on target coming from Jordon Mutch. After the break it was one way traffic tough Cardiff did have a claim for a penalty and caused a couple of moments of concern for The Gunners but they were moments, nothing more.
Solskjaer is expected to be the new Cardiff City manager within the next 24 hours and he will have seen that he has a decent squad to work with but he must get them to be able to play higher up the field and defend so deep.
Steven Caulker was a colossus in defence today and Jordon Mutch was class with some sublime touches. Kevin McNaughton, making his Premier League debut, and young Declan John did well at full back.
Solskjaer watched the game alongside Vincent Tan after being flown in from Norway on Tan's private jet.