Cardiff City vs. Arsenal Score: Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Aaron Ramsey scored twice on his return to Cardiff City as Arsenal claimed a 3-0 victory to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The midfielder opened the scoring in the 29th minute when he headed home Mesut Ozil's cross into the area. But Arsenal had to wait until the 86th minute before they could breathe easily when substitute Mathieu Flamini hit the second with his shirt sleeves rolled up.

Ramsey wrapped up the points in injury time when he added Arsenal's third of the game after he had been warmly applauded by the home supporters on his return to South Wales. 

Jack Wilshere almost opened the scoring in the first few minutes of the match when his curling shot from Aaron Ramsey's through ball struck the crossbar. Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker needed lengthy treatment in the seventh minute after a clash of heads with teammate Bacary Sagna.

With the Gunners down to 10 men, Cardiff almost took full advantage when Fraizer Campbell met a cross from Kevin Theophile-Catherine, but headed it wide. 

Olivier Giroud was guilty of spurning a chance in the 14th minute when Ozil appeared to let the ball run through to him. The Arsenal striker stopped and waited for a flag from the linesman, which never came, and missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he was closed down by the Cardiff defence instead.

Wojciech Szczesny almost found himself in trouble as he challenged for the ball with Ben Turner, and the Cardiff man's effort dropped just over the bar.

In the 29th minute, though, Arsenal opened the scoring through Ramsey, who timed his run into the area perfectly to meet a cross from Ozil that he headed home.

The midfielder also received a warm reception from the home supporters after he refused to celebrate the goal against his former club.

There was a nice touch just after the half-hour mark when Arsenal fans sang, "There's only one Pat Rice" in support of the Gunners legend, who is receiving treatment for cancer. They were roundly applauded by the home fans across the Cardiff City Stadium.

Ramsey almost added a second on the stroke of half-time when he fired over the crossbar from Giroud's ball. He missed out on making it 2-0 in the opening stages of the second period when his shot was cleared off the line by Turner.

Moments later, Szczesny produced a brilliant save to deny Campbell's 51st-minute header after the Cardiff striker rose above Laurent Koscielny. The home side were enjoying a sustained spell of pressure, and Peter Whittingham also saw his effort blocked by Mikel Arteta before Szczesny stopped a Theophile-Catherine attempt.

In the 68th minute, Santi Cazorla played the ball through for Wilshere, but the England international's stabbed effort was held comfortably by Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger switched Cazorla for the more defensively minded Flamini in a bid to hold on to the three points.

Whittingham proved immediately why the Gunners boss was right to be concerned when his volley from a Theophile-Catherine ball was saved well by Szczesny. Wenger further battened down the hatches as he brought on Nacho Monreal for Wilshere moments later.

Szczesny again made a good stop with six minutes remaining when he denied Don Cowie's drive.

In the 86th minute, though, Arsenal sealed the points on an unlikely goal from Flamini. Ozil played a ball into the area, and the midfielder was on hand to lash it high into Marshall's net for his first goal in England since January 2008.

The German star left the field in place of Theo Walcott in the 90th minute as Wenger breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines. 

Ramsey added a third for Arsenal in injury time when he smashed the ball home after a clever one-two with Walcott following a counter-attack.

Player ratings

Mesut Ozil: A

Another invaluable contribution from the Germany international helped Ramsey open the scoring. It was Ozil's fifth assist in the Premier League this season, the league's best total so far. He now has six on the year. 

The former Real Madrid star was again the architect for the Gunners' second when he found Flamini in the 86th minute of the game.

Aaron Ramsey A+

Displayed genuine class in not celebrating his 29th-minute goal and was rewarded with applause from the home supporters.

Caused Cardiff all sorts of problems throughout the game after being so welcomed back by the Welsh club's supporters.

Added a deserved second goal in injury time to cap off a splendid performance. 

Fraizer Campbell B+

Went close in the first half with a header, but with Arsenal so dominant, further opportunities were limited in the opening 45 minutes.

The striker was also unlucky to be denied by a fantastic Sczezny save six minutes into the second period before being switched for Peter Odemwingie in the 64th minute.

Ben Turner A-

A presence for Cardiff at both ends of the field. Almost scored in a challenge with Sczezny and then cleared an Olivier Giroud effort off the line moments into the second 45 minutes.

A solid, all-round performance for Malky Mackay's team.

Post-match reaction