Ramsey scores two against boyhood club in 3-0 win

Arsenal brushed aside a resilient Cardiff side in the Welsh capital on Saturday afternoon as Ramsey grabbed 2 against his former employers whilst Flamini grabbed a rare goal. Cardiff put in a strong performance through the middle parts of the game but we managed to kill the game off in attack and send us seven points clear. Arsenal made three changes to the side that had beaten Marseille in the week as Gibbs, Cazorla and Arteta all came back in for Monreal, Rosicky and Flamini respectively.

Aaron Ramsey scored twice against his former club as Arsenal extended their lead at the top

The Gunners performance was extremely satisfying to say the least and from previous results it looked as though Cardiff would be difficult opponents. They caused us problems in some parts of the game but we weren't tested significantly which allowed us to come out of the game with all three points. Arsenal's first goal was supplied beautifully by Mesut Ozil. His swinging cross picked out Ramsey whose header found the back of the net. The Welshman's goal was marked by applause from both sets of fans. Ramsey didn't celebrate as he showed his respect to the club that brought him up and so did the Cardiff supporters show respect. Ozil then set up the second as well as he slipped in an inch perfect ball to Mathieu Flamini to rifle the ball home. That was his first goal in English football and for Arsenal since 2008. The final goal was from Ramsey as well after countering well with Walcott. His touch was brilliant to set him up and then he absolutely hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

As well as the return to form of Mesut Ozil, Wojciech Szczesny also had an absolute blinder and showed why he's worth his number one place. The Pole had been made to stand and watch most of the game but then made a brilliant save which probably in turn won us the game. Frazer Campbell got up above Kieran Gibbs and then planted a header right in the corner but for a sprawling save from Szczesny. That's 51 clean-sheets in 126 appearances for Szczesny now, a record only bettered by David Seaman at this point in their respective careers.

I've talked a lot about the defensive pairing of Koscielny and Mertesacker recently but they truly were outstanding in November. Arsenal's defence conceded just once in six games in November. That one game being against Manchester United when Mertesacker wasn't playing. Because of that he now hasn't conceded in a month and eight days for club and country. Laurent Koscielny was the stand out performer in the defensive line on Saturday though. He continuously cut out attempted balls into the strikers and won pretty much every header on his 100th league appearance for the club. 

The final thing is the fact that pretty much anyone can play anywhere in terms of our attacking plays. Giroud drifts out wide as well as playing central whilst the same can also be said for Wilshere and Ozil. Ramsey was playing on the right but had chances to come into the central areas too. We even saw Mathieu Flamini running into the centre forward position for his goal. This is just one of the many reasons as to why we're top of the Premier League. It makes us an unpredictable side and also makes us hard to mark because players keeping switching positions with their colleagues.

Up next is Hull City on Wednesday night in the Premier League at home. Should be an easier game than ones previously but they've proven to be a difficult side in recent matches and have been in good form. With Everton to come next weekend, the game against Hull could be a chance to rest a few. Olivier Giroud showed signs of tiredness against Cardiff but other than Walcott we don't have any real replacements. An issue that will have to be addressed in the January transfer market.

The teams lineups:

Cardiff: Marshall, Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor(87), Medel, Kim(75), Mutch, Cowie, Campbell(65).
Subs: Lewis, Hudson, Gunnarsson, Noone(75), Bellamy, Cornelius(87), Odemwingie(65).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere(81), Ramsey, Ozil(90), Cazorla(77), Giroud.
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal(81), Flamini(77), Rosicky, Gnabry, Walcott(90). 

My man of the match: Aaron Ramsey.

Referee: Lee Mason.
Attendance: 27,948.