Willock and Chambers write the latest chapter in tale of unlikely capital bedfellows

Cardiff City fans at Kenilworth Road before their side's 1-0 win over Luton Town today (Picture: Charlie Stong)

Arsenal and Cardiff City currently sit some distance apart in English football’s pecking order, but the ties between the two clubs make the traditional giants of the English and Welsh capitals unlikely bedfellows.

The link stretches back to the 1927 FA Cup Final, when Hughie Ferguson’s shot slipped through the hands of Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis and into the net – taking the grand old cup out of England for the first and only time in its history.

Lewis blamed the clanger on his new woollen jersey, saying it was too slippery. Interestingly this inspired an Arsenal tradition of washing all new goalkeeper shirts before each game – a superstition which continues to this very day.

Since then, a number of players have represented both proud clubs - most notably Aaron Ramsey, a Cardiff academy graduate who was plucked by Arsenal as a teenager and went on to deliver two FA Cup final winners for the Gunners.

His 2011 loan back to Cardiff gave Bluebirds fans a brief reminder of what they’d nurtured, and his permanent return in 2023 completed a career circle that further links the two clubs.

Jay Bothroyd began at Arsenal, but truly flourished in Cardiff colours, his goals firing them towards the Premier League and even earning him a senior England cap in a 2010 friendly against France.

The late Kevin Campbell also spent the best part of a decade with Arsenal before finishing up with a spell in south Wales, while lesser-known right-back Kerrea Gilbert also wore both shirts.

The relationship has remained largely cordial - Arsenal benefitting from Cardiff’s production line of talent, Cardiff grateful for the opportunities afforded by their bigger cousins.

And while meetings on the pitch have been infrequent but rarely dull - Cardiff’s stints in the Premier League saw some spirited battles with Arsenal - the movement of players is what has really cemented the bond.

Which brings us neatly to where Capital Football found itself today – at Kenilworth Road, Luton, as two more former Gunners, Chris Willock and Calum Chambers, ran out in Bluebird blue.

Willock joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of just five, rising through the youth ranks and earning a reputation as a bright prospect.

Although he made one Gunners EFL Cup appearance and one in the Premier League, he never gained a foothold in the side, and In June 2017 turned down a new deal to leave on a five-year contract with Portuguese side Benfica.

Coaches, including Arsene Wenger, had highlighted his “natural strength and talent,” but first-team opportunities remained limited – his more famous brother, Joe, performing far more often for the Gunners before his own move to Newcastle.

Chambers arrived at Arsenal in July 2014 from Southampton, in a deal rising to around £16 million.

Although never a true star, Chambers earned a somewhat cult status among the Gunners’ faithful. Over eight seasons and 122 appearances, he contributed to an FA Cup and Community Shield win and displayed versatility across right-back, centre-back and midfield.

Chambers was Fulham’s Player of the Season during his 2018–19 loan, but despite flashes of promise, consistency eluded him, and he departed in January 2022 for Aston Villa.

But how are they doing now? Cardiff are third favourites for promotion to League One this season – meaning Willock and Chambers could soon be back in English football’s limelight.

They faced a stern test today – in fact probably their sternest of the whole season – away at League One promotion favourites the Hatters, who were a Premier League team just two years ago.

Willock started this match on the pitch while Chambers sat down on the bench – but both were to play key roles in the Cardiff victory.

Willock was clearly one of the brightest talents on display from the off. His persistence saw him nick the ball off Luton centre-half Christ Makosso on nine minutes, which almost set-up a break away but which was eventually cleaned up by Luton.

Shortly afterwards he played a neat ball to Rubin Colwill down left, but the latter’s cross-shot flew out for a throw.

Willock’s skill down the left should have led to a Cardiff opener on 18 minutes. The winger beat Makosso and crossed into Rubin Colwill, who helped ball on to Callum Robinson. But Robinson missed his kick when he should have scored.

However, after Luton dominated proceedings in the early stages of the second half, Willock’s quality won it for the visitors 20 minutes from the end.

He won the ball on the edge of the box, cut outside one defender, inside another and curled the ball low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Willock’s goal also heralded the arrival of Chambers to shore up the defence. Luton continued to push, but the points returned to Wales.

Willock’s performance against Luton added another page to the curious shared history between the Gunners and Cardiff – a history that continues to bind the two clubs almost a century after that famous Wembley final.