Neil Warnock Pays Tribute to Emiliano Sala After Cardiff's 2-1 Defeat to Arsenal

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock paid tribute to Emiliano Sala after his side's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday, confirming the club are not planning to bring in

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock paid tribute to Emiliano Sala after his side's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday, confirming the club are not planning to bring in another striker during the transfer window.

Tributes were paid to Sala and pilot Dave Ibbotson in the Bluebirds' first game since the plane carrying the pair disappeared earlier in January.

Speaking after the game, Warnock confirmed Cardiff are not planning to sign another attacker. When asked whether the club will be active before Thursday's deadline, Warnock told Sky Sports: "Yes. But I don't think we will be bringing any strikers in.

#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/z3m7AV0mwu

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 29, 2019

"Emiliano was the one I worked on for a couple of months. I don't see anyone else that we can get that will be better than we've already got.

"We need a couple of defenders to supplement the squad, because we are short in numbers there. We are working hard behind the scenes to try and bring one or two in."

City impressed during their trip to London, creating plenty of chances before succumbing to goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing netting a late consolation for the visitors.

IAN KINGTON/GettyImages

Warnock added: "This was probably the best away performance since I've been at the club, not just because of the circumstances but the opposition as well.

"I'm disappointed we didn't win, let alone draw. If Arsenal had the chances we had they'd have had four goals. We can't do anymore than what the players did tonight other than score goals.

"Bobby (Reid) knows he should hit the target. We had 19 shots, I don't think we've ever had that many away from home.

FULL-TIME: @Arsenal 2-1 #CardiffCity

Despite a brave effort, the #Bluebirds are beaten.#ARSCAR #CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/AxxQ2FocDH

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 29, 2019

"We were quite comfortable, I didn't see where they could break us down. That is why it's so disappointing to give them the incentive of a penalty, which was an obvious one."