Out Arsenal-ed

In recent years, this Arsenal team have been outplayed before; most notably by Barcelona at the Nou Camp a couple of times. However I can’t remember being completely outplayed by a newly promoted team. We weren’t just outplayed in terms of the score line, but we were outplayed at our own style of football.

Swansea deserved to win the game and must be given an immense amount of credit for the way they played, however from an Arsenal perspective, the defeat was seriously avoidable again. The team seemed incapable of keeping the ball for a sustained period of time to build pressure on the hosts, with some individuals frustrating a lot of fans.

Injuries have taken their toll, but Arsenal should still have had enough quality to get three points. We all know that when fit, our best starting XI is capable of beating anyone, but the hallmark of a great team is being able to pick up points when key players are missing. It seemed that some of the players on the pitch were about as useful as some of those who were absent from injury.

Like at Fulham, we started the match really well. Robin van Persie, unsurprisingly, scored. I thought his initial touch was too heavy, but I shouldn’t have doubted the captain.

Having scored so early, we should have won the match comfortably. What is most frustrating about the last few weeks is that the team have been in the same situation on three occasions, and not won any of the games. Against Wolves, Fulham and Swansea, we got the early goal but allowed the opposition back into the match. If it happened once, you’d mark it down as careless, but the lesson would have been learnt and dealt with. However there is a clear issue that hasn’t been addressed properly. To throw away three leads, two of them leading to defeats, is beyond careless. We’ve been in a situation since August where any dropped points where going to be felt more than usual because of our start, so to be in winning positions and throw them away is infuriating.

Whilst we didn’t properly kick on after the goal, we were unfortunate to concede the penalty. Whether it’s not getting a penalty awarded to us, or conceding soft penalties, I’m fed up of important decisions going against us. I can understand why referee Michael Oliver gave the penalty, however he was in a brilliant position and should have seen that Ramsey didn’t trip Nathan Dyer or attempt to bring him down. Dyer turned in the box and if anything he catches Ramsey. It isn’t an excuse for the larger problems in the team, but it would be nice to have an important decision be right and go in our favour. Sunday against Manchester United would be a good start for that, although our recent win record with Mike Dean officiating is terrible.

Having been pegged back at 1-1, we still couldn’t control the game. Swansea deservedly took the lead as we overplayed the ball out of defence. We had the chance to spray the ball out wide and move away from our goal, however we went back to where Swansea were able to pressure us into losing the ball and giving them the space to score. Swansea had played their way out of similar position impressively, whether we were trying to prove that we could do it as well I don’t know, but it would have made sense at that moment to be able to read the situation and be more direct to get the ball away with the game so finely poised.

Bringing the game back to 2-2 proved that Swansea were just as vulnerable at the back as we were, the final pass just had to be right. So often it wasn’t, yet it only took a simple through ball from Djourou to put Walcott in on goal. The simplicity of both of our goals made the fact we couldn’t carve out other clear chances very frustrating. Walcott’s finish was excellent, but he did nothing for the rest of the game.

The way we conceded straight from the kick off was ludicrous. The players weren’t focussed and we were deservedly punished. Even when the ball was played through to Danny Graham, we shouldn’t have conceded. Koscielny had enough pace to force Graham wide, but Szczesny was in no man’s land, giving Graham the chance to find the far corner. Had Szczesny stayed in goal, Swansea probably wouldn’t have scored. I think Wojciech Szczesny is good enough to be our long term number one, however he’s shown his inexperience and naivety in the last two league games, and it’s cost us points. There are no other fit or competent goalkeepers to replace or advise Szczesny if he goes through a bad run of form, so he could become complacent about his place in the team. There’s a lot of pressure on him to show maturity, but his age is getting the better of him at some key points in games.

As much as we were slightly open in defence, I don’t think that was the biggest problem at the weekend. Laurent Koscielny had another superb game, both in terms of quality and effort. Per Mertesacker hadn’t trained all week after being unwell so deserves credit for starting at all, plus he did make some key interceptions and clearances. We need full backs. Ignasi Miquel looked like an inexperienced centre back playing out of position, however he couldn’t be faulted for effort. Hopefully Thomas Vermaelen will return next week, otherwise the decision to not sign a full back looks increasingly baffling. There aren’t many good left backs available on the market for loan, but surely signing one of them on for a short term fix would have been a better option than putting pressure on a young centre back to play out of position.

The biggest problem on Sunday was the midfield. Aaron Ramsey ran his socks into the ground, but is clearly in need of a break. It’s the first time he’s played regularly for such a long period of time in the Premier League, and its showing. He also seemed slightly confused as to where in midfield he was playing against Swansea. With Benayoun there, it wasn’t clear whether Ramsey was the man meant to be getting close to Robin van Persie. We missed Mikel Arteta so badly. He would have given us the control in midfield that would have enabled us to keep the ball better. He’d also have allowed Song to express himself more with the ball and possibly create some chances, something he’s improved on this season.

Going forward, as mentioned, Walcott didn’t have a good game. Robin van Persie barely had anything to feed off and Andrey Arshavin picked up a good assist, but otherwise slowed our attacks down and lost the ball too often. Gervinho has his critics, but he runs with the ball well and injects pace into our game.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looked a lot livelier than Arshavin when he came on, making me think it’s really time to unleash the Ox. With Gervinho at the African Cup of Nations, Oxlade-Chamberlain is the closest like-for-like replacement we’ve got. We could start Henry on the left wing, but I think that would be a waste of his finishing ability.

There was a lot of anger flying around from some Arsenal fans after the match, particularly on twitter, and a lot of it was understandable, but it shouldn’t be directed at players who clearly gave 100%. Some of the tweets sent to Aaron Ramsey were needless and hideous, and Ramsey was one of the players who didn’t stop running all game. He’s not in great form, but is giving everything for Arsenal Football Club. As fans, we can’t ask for anymore from those wearing the shirt. We can ask for reinforcements to be brought in, but we can’t fault players individually if they’ve given everything they’ve got.

As for the fan who reportedly confronted Thierry Henry, we don’t need in-fighting with supporters and probably the best player to wear the cannon. Things weren’t good on Sunday, but we saw at the end of last season how negativity amongst fans will only bring the team down. The last days of last season weren’t enjoyable for anyone, so let’s all get behind the team against Manchester United. We’re in January, there’s still time to make the top four plus we’re still in the Champions League and the FA Cup. There is still time to address the problems and get players back from injury, we just need that sooner rather than later, or else our top four hopes will fade.

We’re in a position now where we go into the Manchester United match with no expectations. Anything that isn’t a defeat will probably be considered a bonus. The pressure is off, so the players need to show the sort of confidence that Swansea did against us. Hopefully we’ll see the much needed returns of Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta, and possibly someone other than Andrey Arshavin on the wing. We always have a chance with Robin van Persie up front.

Trying to look positively, on the same weekend in January 2007, we welcomed Manchester United to the Emirates. We won 2-1 with an injury time winner from Thierry Henry. Can the script writer pick up his pen?

Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 17 Jan 12

Robin van Persie unlikely to show blind loyalty to trophyless Arsenal

The Dutch striker may start to wonder if he would be better off at Barcelona if the Gunners cannot satisfy his ambition

It is an admission that cuts to the core of Robin van Persie's purist footballing principals but one that also provokes trepidation among the Arsenal support, which has lived on its nerves throughout the club's recent soap opera storylines. When the striker who scores when he wants settles down to watch what he wants, there is only one club that he follows. "I have to admit that Barcelona is the only team that I watch on the telly, apart from Arsenal," Van Persie says, with characteristic all-or-nothing candour.

There is encouragement to be located for the Arsenal faithful in the Dutchman's choice of viewing. He is not stimulated by Manchester City or Paris St-Germain or Anzhi Makhachkala, the nouveaux riches, who are prepared to offer him untold riches in the summer in exchange for his signature. Nor, for that matter, do Real Madrid quicken his pulse.

He once said that Real were not "something for me". "They are a great club," he added, "but it really goes fast with managers and players. You'll get a neck problem. You've won nothing? Go away … here, you have a couple of millions, on to the next signing. The way that Arsenal and Barcelona do it speaks more to me."

Van Persie has often given the impression that, rather like the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, he has little love for the clubs that lever themselves to the forefront via their spending power. Van Persie is a traditionalist, and a romantic one at that. In his interview with NUsport magazine, which was published last month, he spoke, for example, of his admiration for Vic and Paul Akers, the Arsenal father-and-son kit management team, who epitomise so many of the club's values.

"What's so special about Arsenal is the family atmosphere and the warmth," Van Persie said. "When you come in here, you're always welcomed like a brother. Mikel Arteta [the summer signing from Everton] played against us for years but he walks into the dressing-room and he's one of us.

"The kit men, Vic and Paul Akers, have worked at the club for years. They love the club and they do everything for us; outfits, shoes, balls but, also, when I want to go to Disney on Ice, they arrange it. They represent the true Arsenal feeling and we've got some more like these men."

Van Persie has bought deeply into the philosophies of the club, who took him from Feyenoord as a raw and slightly reckless youngster in 2004 and have helped to mould him into one of the continent's most complete players. He would like nothing more than to lead Arsenal to trophies and he continues to believe that attractive, attacking football is the best means to that end. Barcelona, after all, have proved as much.

There is, however, a stark reality that has begun to undercut Van Persie's ideals – a growing acceptance that winning in any fashion is preferable to not winning at all. He has pondered whether Barcelona and their beautiful triumphs might be the exception to his rule. Van Persie is not so blinded by the aesthetic as to lose sight of the sparkle of silverware and, at 28, and having won a single trophy with Arsenal – the 2005 FA Cup – he is yearning for glory as never before.

His contractual stand-off has cast long shadows over Arsenal's campaign. The captain has said that he does not wish to discuss fresh terms until the summer, when he will have not only 12 months to run on his existing deal but a clearer impression of where the club is going. If it is into the Europa League, Arsenal would appear hard pushed to retain their star, particularly if, as can be expected, he shines for Holland at Euro 2012.

Van Persie's angst, and that of everybody connected to the club, was deepened on Sunday night after the defeat at Swansea City, the team's seventh of the Premier League season, which has left them four points off the Champions League pace. There were several familiar sights – a goal for Van Persie (his 22nd of the season); defensive vulnerabilities; Wenger raging at the referee and Wojciech Szczesny manfully fronting up to the press afterwards. But it was the sinking feeling that held sway on the journey back to London.

Van Persie will be confronted, in the summer, by suitors and awkward questions. Could he yet be tempted by City and the notion that they might represent a better bet for honours? One thing is clear. He will not need his good friends Cesc Fábregas and Ibrahim Afellay to sell him the merits of Barcelona. His satellite TV dish relays them to him every week. If they were to come calling, Van Persie could not say no.

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 16 Jan 12

Thierry Henry shows Arsenal's anger after Swansea send them packing

Arsenal could not contain their anger after succumbing to a defeat that leaves them struggling to hold on to Chelsea's coat-tails in the race for the Champions League qualification places. First Thierry Henry became involved in a row with one of the travelling supporters. Then Arsène Wenger fiercely criticised Michael Oliver, the referee, accused Nathan Dyer of diving to win a penalty and lambasted a dreadful defensive performance from his team.

Henry's set-to with an Arsenal fan came after the final whistle, when the players went across to applaud their followers. It is understood the striker, who had replaced Andrey Arshavin in the 63rd minute, clashed with the supporter after taking unkindly to his criticism of the players, the Frenchman telling him that he should support rather than berate the side.

According to a club spokesperson Henry had said: "No matter what, you should support the team." The 34-year-old, making the second appearance of his loan from New York Red Bulls, also appeared to make a 'yapping' gesture at the fan with his left hand and pointed as if to invite the individual to address him on the pitch.

These incidents should not take all the attention from Swansea. Wenger, amid his rant, gave credit to the Welsh side, acknowledging they deserved to win a compelling game that will live long in the memory in these parts. Danny Graham delivered the final blow, the Swansea striker shooting across Wojciech Szczesny 45 seconds after Theo Walcott had hauled Arsenal back to 2-2. Arsenal could still have salvaged a point but a gilt-edged chance dropped to Per Mertesacker and the Germany international inexplicably sliced wide from inside the six-yard box, leaving Wenger struggling to come to terms with the outcome.

"Swansea played well but the game was decided by some strange decisions – the first one was the referee who gave a penalty that was a complete imagination and was a good dive. Well done to the player who did it," Wenger said. "And from then on I feel there were some other turning points, like when we came back to 2-2 we made straight away a defensive mistake, similar to Fulham [a late 2–1 defeat after leading 1–0], where there was a lack of appreciation of the goal.

"Our defensive performance was not good enough and that's why we lost the game. When we came back to 2-2, I thought we had a good chance to win the game. Their keeper made some great saves and we also missed some unbelievable chances that are very difficult to understand and explain. But apart from all that, well done to Swansea, they played well and they deserved to win."

With that Wenger got up and departed after answering one question, the Frenchman providing a couple of terse responses to inquiries about Arsenal's defensive problems as he headed out of the conference room. He had spent the best part of 10 minutes waiting for Brendan Rodgers to finish his media duties and a police escort was waiting to take the Arsenal bus back to the airport, although this sobering result gave him another good reason to get out of the Liberty Stadium as quickly as possible.

The penalty award that upset Wenger looked soft but Aaron Ramsey appeared to make slight contact with Dyer's ankle, prompting Oliver to point to the spot and give Scott Sinclair the chance to bring Swansea level after Robin van Persie had earlier beaten Michel Vorm at his near post. In that context Wenger's criticism of Dyer, who was the game's outstanding performer on an afternoon when Fabio Capello had come to watch another English winger (Walcott), seemed harsh.

There was certainly no argument with Wenger's assessment of Arsenal's defensive display, especially for the second and third goals. Arshavin, who set up Van Persie's opening goal but was otherwise anonymous and predictably withdrawn in the second half, played a careless pass to Ramsey that allowed Joe Allen to pinch possession in the lead-up to the second goal. On the third Laurent Koscielny was caught out of position, with Arsenal failing to take heed of the adage that a team are most at risk of conceding straight after scoring.

That is enough criticism of Arsenal. This was a hugely impressive Swansea display that demonstrated they have resilience within their ranks as well as flair. Ashley Williams was outstanding at the back, Allen provided some lovely touches in central midfield and Dyer carried a threat whenever he got the ball, his penetrative runs making life difficult for Ignasi Miquel, the Spanish defender who was making his first Premier League start, and just about everyone else in the Arsenal defence who tried to stop him.

There were raucous scenes at the final whistle as Rodgers punched the air after a win that lifts Swansea to 10th place. "It was a wonderful victory and performance from us. I'm very proud of the players and it's a great day for the people and the city of Swansea," said the manager, who made a point of highlighting how well his English front three - Dyer, Graham and Sinclair - played in front of Capello. "They were a massive threat and it's probably given him something to think about."

Source: Stuart James, The Guardian on 16 Jan 12

Swansea sink Arsenal with a spirit and purpose all of their own

'New Arsenal against Old Arsenal' lived up to its billing, with Swansea winning by the odd goal in five

Fabio Capello timed his return to English football perfectly. However little the Italian may have taken away from the Liberty Stadium on Sunday in terms of new information about players likely to make his squad for the Euro 2012 finals, he was able to watch an exhilarating match that produced a thoroughly deserved winner.

The fixture had been billed as New Arsenal against Old Arsenal, but it was far more than a matter of "You play tiki and I'll play taka". Brendan Rodgers' Swansea City embody many of the virtues associated with Arsenal in their prime under Arsène Wenger, but they are no mere carbon copies. On Sunday they played with a spirit and a sense of purpose that were all their own.

Nine years ago to the day, Swansea were at the bottom of the fourth tier and Arsenal were top of the Premier League. Here they were fighting as equals in a contest of strike and counter-strike, with the points taken by the side showing more self-belief and resilience.

The Welsh side's response to going a goal down after five minutes was replicated when Arsenal drew level at 2-2 with 20 minutes to go. They simply kept going with a driving confidence that Arsenal never quite matched.

A significant message came via Twitter only a couple of minutes after the whistle had blown on the 3-2 victory: "Great win for Swansea! Looking forward to join the team on Tuesday!!" That was @JMcEachran20 – otherwise known as Josh McEachran. The 18-year-old Chelsea midfield prodigy could hardly have chosen a more appropriate berth for his gifts, which are to do with instinctive decision-making and superlative passing, for the remainder of the season. Assuming, we now have to say, that Rodgers can find a place for his England Under-21 loan signing in a midfield whose members got the better of their direct opponents in every particular on Sunday.

Not for a moment were Swansea overawed, even when Robin van Persie glided on to Andrey Arshavin's through ball after five minutes, cocked the trigger, then paused to put Steven Caulker off balance before releasing a shot that beat Michel Vorm at the near post. At that moment Arsenal looked like the aristocrats of old, running smoothly on well-oiled bearings, rather than the defective mechanism they have often resembled at other times this season.

By the end it was Swansea who were running cleanly on all cylinders while Arsenal wheezed and backfired. "I like to coach my players to manage pressure with the ball," Rodgers said afterwards. "In the last few minutes they were able to play some nice little triangles to get out of trouble and launch some attacks of our own." In fact they were doing it long before that, thanks to the neatness and composure of Leon Britton at the base of midfield and Joe Allen in front of him.

The buzzing Nathan Dyer, the diligent Danny Graham and the slippery Scott Sinclair formed an all-English trio of troublesome forwards for Capello to enjoy, and they became even more dangerous when Gylfi Sigurdsson, a 22-year-old Icelander once of Reading and now freshly arrived on loan from Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, came on to fill the playmaker's role with zest, inventiveness and precision.

Rodgers paid ample tribute afterwards to Wenger's achievements in north London, but it was one of those increasingly frequent afternoons on which the Frenchman fills his technical area with dramatic gestures of exasperation. Things being as they are, the way he reacts to an Arsenal mistake by throwing his arms wide in barely suppressed rage hardly looks the best way to go about imbuing his players with inner confidence.

To lose by the odd goal in five, away to this Swansea team, is hardly a disgrace, particularly when your squad is depleted by the enforced absence of such players as Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Gervinho, Abou Diaby and two complete sets of full-backs. Sometimes, however, you have to wonder about Wenger's judgment - and in particular a stubbornness which so often sees him avoiding the obvious course of action.

There have been rumours, for instance, that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the 18-year-old midfielder for whom Wenger paid Southampton £12m last summer, is becoming frustrated by the lack of opportunities to start games. By contrast, the perennially disappointing Arshavin continues to be given opportunities. The English teenager was thrown on with 13 minutes to play against Swansea, and looked more dangerous than the veteran Thierry Henry, who was allowed twice as much time on the pitch.

In his brief press conference, Wenger cast doubt on the validity of the penalty award from which Sinclair made the score 1-1, claimed that his players had made enough chances to have won comfortably and blamed his side's defensive mistakes for the defeat, but managed to dredge a moment of graciousness out of his disappointment. "Well done to Swansea," he said. "They played well and they deserved to win."

It takes one to know one, you could say, but although Rodgers and Swansea may never scale the heights reached by Arsenal under Wenger, they showed that they are much more than just another newly promoted side flushed with the adrenaline that comes from a first exposure to the top flight and taking advantage of tactical surprise to ambush their opponents. They looked like the real thing.

Source: Richard Williams, The Guardian on 15 Jan 12

Wenger's reaction to the Swansea 3-2 Arsenal match

on the game…
The game was difficult because Swansea played well. It was also decided by some strange decisions from the referee, who gave a penalty that was complete imagination.

From then on I thought there were some odd turning points, like when we came back to 2-2 and made a defensive mistake straight away. It looked similar to Fulham to me, the lack of appreciation for the ball. Our defensive performance was not good enough and that's why we lost the game.

When we got back to 2-2 I thought we could win the game because I thought we could be dangerous. The keeper kept them in the game after too and made some great saves.

I think we also missed some unbelievable chances that are very difficult to understand and explain. But apart from that, well done to Swansea, they played well and deserved the win.

on defensive frailties…
Coincidences are always against us and it is difficult to understand what is going on. I don't know, I feel we are a bit too nervous. We cannot panic every time they have the ball in the final third of the pitch. We have to show more composure and ambition. I think we panicked a bit too quickly today.

It is always a concern but on the other hand there is a good spirit in the side and a desire to do well. But we have dropped six points in a row now that we should not have.
 
Source: Arsenal.com on 15 Jan 12

15 January 2012: Swansea 3-2 Arsenal, Liberty Stadium

Arsenal were beaten by a classic sucker-punch at Swansea on Sunday.

Having withstood significant second-half pressure from the Welshmen, Arsène Wenger's side seemed to have grabbed a lifeline when Theo Walcott converted Johan Djourou's throughball to make it 2-2 after 69 minutes.

However, within seconds of the restart, Danny Graham ghosted beyond Laurent Koscielny and fired an angled shot past Wojciech Szczesny.

The goal would consign Arsenal to the seventh defeat of their Premier League campaign.

Robin van Persie's fifth-minute strike provided the perfect start to the North London club's first trip to Swansea in almost 20 years however the hosts were soon level via Scott Sinclair's penalty.

The visitors started the second half well but Dyer's goal pegged them back just before the hour. Then came that quick exchange of goals.

It leaves Wenger's men fifth, four points adrift of Chelsea, and in need of a quick reversal of fortune.

However that will be a tough ask as Manchester United are due at Emirates next week.

Between Friday's press conference and Arsenal's arrival in Wales, Mikel Arteta had picked up a calf injury. As a result, Yossi Benayoun came into central midfield this afternoon.

After the defeat at Fulham on January 2, Wenger had also lost Francis Coquelin to a hamstring injury, Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations and Johan Djourou to a red card. The Swiss defender saw out his suspension in Monday's win over Leeds in the FA Cup and therefore returned at right back. The hero that night, Thierry Henry, was back on bench while the season's hero, Van Persie, was back up front. Ignasi Miquel filled in at left-back while Andrey Arshavin was in front of him.

And it was the Russian who set up Arsenal's opener this afternoon.

After only five minutes, he sent Van Persie's down the right-hand channel. The Dutchman hesitated momentarily and, with the angle narrowing, it seemed his chance had gone. However the 28-year-old squeezed his shot between Michel Vorm and the post. It was Van Persie's 18th Premier League strike of the season, equalling his best tally ever in that competition.

Swansea had been Scrooge-like at home this term; their tally of four goals against could only be equalled by leaders Manchester City. They also did not score many so the early strike seemed significant.

However Arsenal did not make their advantage count and the hosts were level by the quarter-hour when Aaron Ramsey swept away the trailing leg of Nathan Dyer. Sinclair beat Wojciech Szczesny from the spot.

The visitors nearly regained the lead immediately. Van Persie's shot rebounded to Ramsey. He fired across goal and, after a spot of pinball in the area, eventually the ball found its way back into the grateful arms of Vorm.

However, it was an isolated chance. After the goal, Swansea kicked on in search of the lead. Arsenal had to thank the telescopic legs of Per Mertesacker on a couple of occasions. The hosts were reflecting their reputation as neat, tidy passers with the priority to keep possession . Then they would quickly spring forward in numbers hoping to overman the opponents.

The Arsenal defence was stretched but not beyond breaking point. And, as the half-time whistle approached, Wenger's men grew in confidence.

On the half-hour, Benayoun found Van Persie in acres of space. The Dutchman collected the ball, advanced but blasted his effort straight at Vorm when you expected better.

Five minutes before the break, Dyer darted in from the right but fired down the throat of Szczesny.

However the final stages would belong to Arsenal. But the closest they came was when Arshavin's goalbound free-kick was flicked on by Walcott. Vorm plucked the ball out of the air.

The second period began in the same way. Walcott fired over in the opening seconds then Arshavin planted another shot high from just outside the area.

However Swansea responded in style. Dyer and Joe Allen both fizzed effort post the right post, then, just before the hour, they grabbed the lead.

Allen stole the ball from Ramsey as the Welshman looked to lead a breakaway. That advance meant that Arsenal were understaffed when the Swansea midfielder found Dyer on the right just outside the area.

He cracked his shot past Szczesny as the visitors scrambled back.

Wenger's reaction was immediate as Swansea began to look for a game-clinching third.

Arshavin and Benayoun - off. Tomas Rosicky and Thierry Henry - on.

Within six minutes, Arsenal had equalized. Djourou's long ball forward found Walcott in space. He raced through a clipped his shot over the advancing Vorm.

Given the pressure they had been under it was lifeline. However they would concede seconds after the restart when a throughball from Gylfi Sigurdsson drifted between Koscielny and Szczesny. The keeper initially came to collect and then went back allowing Graham to glide in and slide a shot just inside the far post.

Arsenal had to climb the mountain once again.

They might have got on level terms within minutes when a corner fell at the feet of Mertesacker six yards out. The German screwed his shot wide.

Wenger threw on Oxlade-Chamberlain with 14 minutes left and winger's first foray nearly brought a goal. Before that Henry had drifted a backward header over the bar.

Graham got in the way of the galloping Sinclair as the former Chelsea midfielder threatened a fourth. But, as the seconds ticked away, all the attacking came from Arsenal.

Four minutes from time, Oxlade-Chamberlain set up Rosicky to volley over the bar. Vorm saved from Koscielny and the Czech midfielder in the dying seconds.

However, this afternoon, time ran out on Arsenal.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 15 Jan 12

Arsène Wenger's German commander restores order to Arsenal

This occasion will be remembered with a little warmth by Arsenal. Arsène Wenger's team have already had enough of eventful days such as the 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford in their previous match. So it was that the team could take a shine to this mundane game that brought a first win of the season in the Premier League.

Arsenal have a better excuse than most for looking as if the new campaign took them by surprise. They were not in command of the transfer market timing that saw them lose Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri so late in the summer. The lineup on Saturday was intended to restore calm as much as collect points. While that task was completed, it has to be borne in mind that Swansea are yet to score in the Premier League.

Wenger was full of approval for Swansea, even if that was an indirect way to make excuses for his own side's inconsequentiality. He spoke of the danger they carry on the flanks but then drew a painful analogy. "They remind me of Blackpool last year," Wenger said. "They play in an audacious way, not restricted at all, with a good technical level. But their next home game [against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday] will certainly be very important." Blackpool, of course, were relegated.

It is still too soon to live in dread. Swansea beat Arsenal home and away during the 1981-82 season and even now this sort of fixture can still be hard-fought. The decisive moment itself was a matter of aberration rather than inspiration, with the goalkeeper Michel Vorm tossing a throw-out against the heels of his right-back, Angel Rangel. Andrey Arshavin tucked the loose ball home from an angle in the 40th minute.

"I felt for Vorm at the other end," said the Arsenal goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny. "It can happen. He must be gutted. If you do that kind of mistake then you want to lose 3-0, not 1-0." Szczesny himself is full of confidence after pulling off a string of saves in Poland's 2-2 home draw with Germany in the friendly last week and then being termed world-class by Oliver Kahn, one of the most renowned goalkeepers of modern times.

Team-mates at the Emirates have not generally had cause to feel so sure of themselves in the wake of that pummelling by Manchester United. Szczesny looked unaffected and is adamant that Arsenal can be title contenders. With the immediate challenge of the Champions League game at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in mind, Wenger was happy to talk about the centre‑half Per Mertesacker, newly arrived from Werder Bremen for £8m. The manager is not above resorting to cliche when it is so reassuring. "He's calm and he talks and he communicates," Wenger said. "When a German communicates you listen."

The notion of enhanced authority in Arsenal ranks was sporadically called into doubt and, at the very end of the match, Danny Graham lifted an effort over the bar from close range. It was Graham, too, whose shot had been saved by Szczesny in the eighth minute. Both teams also hit the woodwork. There was purpose to Swansea, despite the fact that the manager, Brendan Rodgers, had gone to Northern Ireland following the death of his father. Rodgers's assistant Colin Pascoe was in charge at the Emirates.

This was an inherently difficult match for Arsenal. Wenger's overhaul of the squad had to be conducted at the last moment and he did not risk changing the team radically. Mikel Arteta, tidy in a deep-lying role in midfield, was joined by one other debutant in the starting lineup, Mertesacker, although Yossi Benayoun would have his first appearance as a substitute.

The meeting with Dortmund will be more demanding and three Polish players in the Bundesliga club's squad, Lukasz Piszczek, Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski, have attempted to unsettle the Arsenal goalkeeper. "They've been taking the mickey out of it [the 8-2 result] but they can't get into my head," Szczesny said. "I will be focused." Even so, the match can surely bear no resemblance to a run-of the-mill engagement with Swansea.

Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 11 Sep 11

Wenger rebuilds with substance over style

Arsene Wenger puts all his stock in style - but only the substance of this desperately needed victory would do for Arsenal against Swansea.

Wenger says he could write a book about a summer he jokingly claims prepared him for a journey to Hell. At least he had a happy, not to mention lucky, tale to tell as Arsenal got their first win of the season.

This was hardly heavenly, indeed for long periods in the second half it was ugly, but it was sweet relief from the football firestorm that engulfed the Gunners in the 8-2 defeat at Manchester United.

Arsenal's manager has spent much of the early weeks of a traumatic season cursing his ill-fortune, so he grasped gratefully at the break offered when Swansea's excellent goalkeeper Michel Vorm inexplicably hurled a clearance against Angel Rangel just before half-time.

The rebound fell invitingly for Andrey Arshavin, and on such narrow margins games are won and emotions around a club can change.

Wenger complained that nerves brought on by an awful start and abject humiliation made Arsenal's performance "handbrake-ish", although even that was an improvement on the emergency stop at Old Trafford.

Events have moved frenetically since then, with Wenger raiding markets at home and abroad to sign Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos and Chu Young Park.

Mertesacker and Arteta got the full 90 minutes, while Benayoun played 28 minutes as a substitute. Clearly, these are early days for definitive judgements, so what were the early impressions?

Arteta, the 29-year-old Cesc Fabregas-lite, started his Arsenal career with a slalom run and a threaded pass which should have brought a goal for Aaron Ramsey. He faded as Arsenal retreated, but showed enough intelligence and quality in possession to suggest he will be a neat fit.

The Spaniard still has to prove he can pull himself out of something of a decline since a serious knee injury suffered playing for Everton at Newcastle in 2009, but there is real quality in his play.

Mertesacker was calm and composed and, at 6 ft 6 ins, adds presence and, self-evidently, aerial threat in both penalty areas. He got caught on his heels once when Danny Graham brought a brilliant early save from Wojciech Szczesny, but had an otherwise pleasingly uneventful debut.

The German, however, will need help against the quick darting movers of the Premier League in the mould of Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez and Javier Hernandez. This type of player may present problems but a performer of such extensive international experience should not be underestimated and Wenger has time to find a solution to that.

Benayoun's performance was brief and breezy. The suspicion is that this is the role he will fulfil, the experienced impact substitute rather than a regular starter.

Wenger, who at last had the smile of the victor back on his face, drove right at the problem he needs to solve at Arsenal and which was not cured by this victory.
"Confidence goes quickly and comes back slowly," said the Frenchman. "We are not used to being in this situation."

"When you don't win you have a deep problem, but the longer it lasts the deeper the problem is."

It is only through wins that this self-belief, that started to fracture in the Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham City, can be pieced back together.

Victories, and of course the return of a raft of the injured such as Jack Wilshire, Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby, as well as the suspended in the shape of Gervinho and Alex Song, will assist the process.

On the evidence of the early weeks of the season, and the rampage from Manchester United and Manchester City, Wenger may have to settle for a season of relative transition and a crack at a cup competition because his new signings will not make this Arsenal into a title-winning side.

The realistic target for Arsenal this season is already a top-four place. The title will be beyond them and even new additions and the return of absentees will not alter that.

But at least the recovery process has begun and the sense of unease that had started to surround the Emirates has partially lifted.

And what of Swansea? Manager Brendan Rodgers was absent following the death of his father but he will receive reports about much that will please him. A major problem has arisen already, however, and that is the ominous zero in the "goals for" column.

Swansea are organised, they competed for long periods and play a game that is pleasing on the eye - but when the big moments and chances came along they were not seized upon. Graham was unlucky to see Szczesny save in the first half but he simply had to take the opportunity he missed in front of goal in injury time.

Rodgers is astute enough to be working on this problem because the time-honoured "we'd be more worried if we were not creating chances" mantra uttered by right-hand man Colin Pascoe after the game will soon wear thin with no points on the board.

And the frustration for Swansea is that they have real possibilities if only a solution can be found.

Sometimes style needs to be forsaken in exchange for grabbing that single chance that might just get your season going. Ask Arsene Wenger and Arsenal.


Source: Phil McNulty, BBC Sport on 10 Sep 11

Vorm gaffe gifts Gunners win

Arsenal got their Premier League campaign up and running with a narrow 1-0 win over gallant Swansea at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners were in need of a response following their 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United before the international break.

However, for long periods the Swans - coached by assistants Colin Pascoe and Alan Curtis as manager Brendan Rodgers missed the game following the death of his father - more than matched Arsene Wenger's men, who included all five deadline signings in the squad.

However, a mistake by Swansea keeper Michel Vorm, when his roll-out had hit defender Angel Rangel, just before half-time gifted a goal to Andrey Arshavin, which proved enough for the Gunners' first league win.

Arsenal had started brightly, with former Cardiff youngster Aaron Ramsey blasting over as Mikel Arteta orchestrated midfield on his debut.

It was, though, Swansea who almost snatched a shock lead on seven minutes.

The ball was swung in from the right and Danny Graham got in front of new arrival Per Mertesacker, but despite being wrong-footed Wojciech Szczesny made an acrobatic save to claw the striker's close-range effort off the line.

Arsenal were soon back on the offensive, and a quick break saw Arshavin release Theo Walcott. The England man slipped his shot under the advancing keeper, but Vorm had got just enough on the ball to slow it down as Steven Caulker, on loan from Tottenham, recovered to hack clear from in front of his own net.

Swansea were forced to defend deeper and deeper as Arsenal pressed for an opening goal.

A neat exchange between Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Frimpong, back from suspension, opened up space at the edge of the area, but the young midfielder dragged his shot wide.
Swansea, though, slowly grew in confidence and looked more comfortable on the ball, while Scott Sinclair provided a lively outlet on the left.

On 35 minutes, full-back Neil Taylor got away down the left and sent over a dangerous cross which flew right through the Arsenal six-yard area.

Arsenal went ahead five minutes from the break following a slice of good fortune.

Vorm tried a quick roll out on the right of the area, only to hit the heels of defender Rangel which left Arshavin to gratefully stroke the loose ball into the empty net from a tight angle.

Swansea made a strong start to the second half, when Walcott was cautioned for clattering into Taylor, the England striker protesting assistant referee Simon Bennett had missed a clear tug on him.

After 53 minutes, Laurent Koscielny followed into Stuart Attwell's notebook after scything down the lively Sinclair 20 yards out.

The former Chelsea man took the free-kick himself and clipped the ball against the top of crossbar.

At the other end, captain Robin van Persie, who was in top form for Holland during the international break, shrugged off two defenders before bursting into the centre of the Swansea area and was unfortunate to see his curling shot hit the outside of the right-hand post.

The Dutch forward then blasted over the bar having been set up at the edge of the box by Ramsey.

Arsenal slowly started to build a period of sustained pressure without really stretching the Swansea backline.

Bacary Sagna's deep cross flew through the penalty area and just eluded van Persie at the far post.

Marouane Chamakh replaced van Persie for the closing 10 minutes and the Morocco striker almost had an instant impact when nodding a close-range header goalwards from Kieran Gibbs' left-wing cross.

Swansea, however, battled to the end and forced Arsenal back into some desperate defending as they forced a couple of corners during stoppage time as Graham blazed over from close range.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 10 Sep 11

Beleaguered Arsenal need to rediscover their sense of fun

A nervy victory over Swansea fails to paper over the cracks, but Arsène Wenger will take solace from Mikel Arteta's display

The beauty has passed from Arsenal's play, but so has a virtue that goes back further, to the days of the iron Gunner spirit. This is a side clawing for points where once it laid on a parade. There will be no quick return to the old verve and vigour but the chance is there.

It will start with a psychological shift, much needed. This team behaves as if coping with adversity is now its primary function. A third league win in 15 games eased some of the pain from the 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool and the 8-2 battering at Manchester United. Yet still we observe a club trying to escape despondency and reconnect with all the optimism and fluency of Arsène Wenger's best years.

The summer's transfer scramble was "very unlike Arsenal", Wenger said. The same is true of the current starting XI. Once they swept upfield like a top ice hockey team. Now their movements are jerky and uncertain. The over-arching vision of symphonic one-touch football has been squashed by circumstance. To beat a Swansea side coached in the best possible taste they relied on a bizarre goalkeeping error from Michael Vorm and a glaring miss in added time by Danny Graham.

The blunt forward line of promoted Premier League debutantes was ideal opposition for Arsenal's defence, which featured Per Mertesacker – bought from Werder Bremen for £8m – for the first time. Calm, tall and technocratic, Mertesacker is no quick mover, and lost at least one aerial contest with Graham, despite his height (6ft 6in). On the credit side he will bring organisational know-how to Arsenal's defending and take pressure off Wenger's nimbler and faster centre-backs.

Three of the five players signed by Wenger during his last day trolley dash (he rejects that characterisation) introduced themselves to a crowd that was officially at full capacity but was peppered with vacant seats.

Mikel Arteta, who seized the chance to escape Everton's financial turmoil, was excellent, delivering two defence-splitting passes in the first 10 minutes and then settling into a pattern of constructive and economical passing.

In one game Arteta established himself as a compromise blend of Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri: the summer's two big escapees. From a narrow left-sided midfield position, Arteta hunted alongside Emmanuel Frimpong, restored after suspension, and picked out the runs of Aaron Ramsey, Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie in an encouraging first half.

The air of renewal turned out to be deceptive. After the interval the desperation returned to Arsenal's efforts. Theo Walcott's runs petered out, Van Persie was off-target with his shooting and Arshavin gave way to Yossi Benayoun, the third newcomer, after missing a tackle and taking a lecture from the 19-year-old Frimpong.

Arshavin's first-half goal had been a gift. On the edge of his penalty area Vorm rolled the ball inexplicably against the legs of Angel Rangel and then saw it drop to Arsenal's Russian forward, who swept it in. Graham's miss in front of the posts in added time was not quite in the Robert Earnshaw category but it hardly augured well for Swansea's goalscoring hopes. After four league games their duck remains intact.

Angst has afflicted Arsenal since the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham. The effect becomes apparent when there is a setback on the field or opponents refuse to fold.

"Confidence goes quickly and comes back slowly," Wenger said, locating the heart of it. Passing back to the goalkeeper from the halfway line was, the manager added, further evidence of anxiety. This mental fog does lift. But it requires a bit more positivity and a lot less introspection than you see round here. Arsenal's coaching staff have been noticeably quiet of late, slumping into their touchline seats with resigned and disaffected expressions. This time Pat Rice spent most of the second half on the touchline clapping and encouraging. There is nothing to be gained from moroseness.

This is a group of players who have forgotten who Arsenal are, what they stand for and how much talent underpins the whole enterprise. For a spell they came out of the brace position but then went back in as the score stayed stuck at 1-0.

On Tuesday they start another Champions League campaign, at Borussia Dortmund. Now would be a good time to forget a tough summer and display a bit more joie de vivre. "The longer it lasts, the deeper the problem becomes," Wenger said. The job of sweeping away the gloom falls to him.

To talk of all the players who may return to save the day is not the answer. It offers a hiding place for those who are fit and available. Yet the outlook really will be brighter when Wenger is able to call on Jack Wilshere, Thomas Vermaelen, Gervinho and Alex Song – as well as the other new boys, Andre Santos and Park Chu-young.

The template of lustrous Arsenal play is broken. Wenger's aims now must be more modest: assimilation, hard work in the physio room and more culling, plus an improvement in discipline. Three red cards in successive league games pointed to a lack of personal responsibility and managerial control.

Above all, you wish this team could restore its sense of fun, of identity, and stop looking so beleaguered.

Source: Paul Hayward, The Guardian on 10 Sep 11

Andrey Arshavin gets Arsenal off the mark against Swansea

Arsène Wenger could at last savour a Premier League result and, if the performance did not measure up, the Arsenal manager could be excused for not caring. His team collected their first three points of the season thanks, in no small measure, to a Swansea City defensive aberration. After what Wenger had described as the summer from hell, the club has something to build on.

The sense of unease, however, persisted and the crisis brought on by the 8-2 defeat at Manchester United would have deepened if the Swansea striker Danny Graham had not lifted a glorious injury-time chance over the crossbar from five yards. Arsenal, whose football was sluggish and undermined by frustrating decisions, had seemed content with their slender advantage as the second half wore on. Graham ought to have brought them to their knees.

Arsenal looked a long way from a team that will challenge for the biggest prizesin England and Europe. The anxiety that had accompanied them into the game appeared to affect several players, chief among them Emmanuel Frimpong and Kieran Gibbs – Frimpong struggled to make simple passes – and there was precious little spark further forward, despite Mikel Arteta beginning his full debut in fine form. The Spaniard faded.

Aaron Ramsey struggled to impose himself while Theo Walcott endured a difficult afternoon. With Robin van Persie firing only in fits and starts - he hit the outside of the far post in the 57th minute - it was, perhaps surprisingly, Andrey Arshavin who set the standard.

When the Russia forward excelled against the Republic of Ireland in Moscow on Tuesday, it was tempting to wonder where the performance had come from, given the paucity of many of his offerings in club colours. Yet he brought the assurance to the Emirates Stadium, probing with menace and playing a central role in the creation of Arsenal's chances. Moreover, it was his goal that proved decisive.

It does remain a disappointment that Arshavin rarely completes a full game and, just before his withdrawal on 63 minutes, he was rollicked by Frimpong for a failure to track back. He can sometimes resemble the ultimate luxury player.

There was also the curious moment when Marouane Chamakh came on for Van Persie and was passed the captain's armband. Overcome with self-consciousness, Chamakh looked for somebody to hand it to only to find no takers. So he wound it around his own arm. Wenger has always argued that he has 11 captains on the pitch. Chamakh went on to test the goalkeeper Michael Vorm with a header.

For Arsenal, though, a win was key and, if confidence in football can evaporate quickly and be reconstructed slowly, at least the club have started the process, ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie away to Borussia Dortmund. "I thought we started quite well but the nerves took over," Wenger said. "We played with the handbrake on.

"We just wanted to get over the line and we didn't want to make a mistake. At 1-0, if you make a mistake, you don't win a game that we absolutely had to win. When you don't win, you have a deep problem and the longer it lasts, the deeper the problem becomes."

Arsenal's supporters had to hope that Arshavin's goal showed their luck is turning. Vorm had collected Walcott's deflected shot in the corner of his area, close to the byline, and he attempted to start a quick counter. Yet his throw hit the heels of his defender Angel Rangel and, when the ball broke, Arshavin had the relatively simple task of steering it into an empty net from a tight angle.

"People think sometimes that Arshavin does not care but that's not true," Wenger said. "He cares very much. He had just lost confidence but you could see that he was himself today."

Arsenal might have led by more at the interval only for Walcott to frustrate with his finishing. He saw one effort cleared off the line by the back-tracking Steven Caulker while Ramsey also missed a clear chance. Yet Swansea nearly scored themselves when Graham beat Per Mertesacker to Kemy Agustien's wonderful eighth-minute cross only for Wojciech Szczesny to save. Mertesacker was otherwise solid on his debut.

Swansea fought for their manager, Brendan Rogers, who was back in Northern Ireland following the loss of his father to cancer, and the Welsh club felt that they were worth a point. It was not only their organisation that caught the eye. Their pace in wide areas was menacing, with Scott Sinclair, in particular, a threat. He clipped the top of the crossbar with a 53rd minute free-kick.

Swansea continue to search for their first Premier League goal and they would have cursed Graham at the end. Arsenal exhaled in relief.

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 10 Sep 11

Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 1-0 Swansea match

on a first win of the Premier League season...
It was vital for us to win the game. I think we started quite well but slowly the nerves took over. We played with the handbrake on and were restrictive in the second half. It is not often that we pass the ball back to our goalkeeper when we are at halfway. You could see in the second half that we just wanted to get over the line and we didn't make a mistake. Swansea make it difficult for you because they keep the ball well and on the wings they are very quick. Overall they have the basics of a very good Premier League team but they just can’t score at the moment.

on Arsenal’s debutants…
Mertesacker was calm and composed - he just needs to adapt to the pace of the game. He looks very intelligent in his positioning.
Arteta played very well, especially in the first half. In the second half it was more difficult for him but you can see he will give us some technical security that this team needs and he wants to play like we play.

on the feeling in the dressing room…
We know that confidence goes quickly and comes back slowly. For us to be in the situation we were in, we were not used to that. We will come back. You look today with the fact we had no Gervinho, no Song, Diaby or Wilshere. We now have a decent squad overall when everybody is back and we have chance. First we just need to put a few wins together.

on whether nerves were a problem…
When you don't win you have a deep problem, that's for sure. The longer it lasts, the deeper the problem becomes. As soon as you win things are different.

on an element of luck about the goal…
There was an element of luck about our goal, of course.

on Andrey Arshavin’s performance…
Arshavin has a very good spirit. He had lost confidence but he has a good attitude in training and a good spirit. People think that he doesn’t care but that is not true at all. He cares very much and he had just lost confidence. You could see that he was himself again today.

on Yossi Benayoun’s debut…
He brought us something when he came on because he was mobile, he was dynamic and he did well.

on the strength of Arsenal’s squad…
Today, look at the bench I had and I still didn’t have Alex Song or Gervinho. We have a big squad.

on Chamakh having the captain’s armband for the final 10 minutes…
He could find anybody! I told him to keep it, what does it matter for the last 10 minutes. Thomas Vermaelen is the vice-captain but it was difficult to find him!

on a word for Brendan Rodgers…
His father passed away and that is very sad. The team fought for him today and that is the best they could do. It is very sad.

Source: Arsenal.com on 10 Sep 11

10 September 2011: Arsenal 1-0 Swansea, The Emirates

Arsenal registered their first victory of the Premier League campaign with a 1-0 success over Swansea on Saturday.

In the build-up to this fixture, Arsène Wenger had suggested that - after arrivals, departures and a couple of disappointing defeats - this was the start of the season for his side.

As curtain-raisers go, it was hardly compelling. But Arsenal were worth their win. And a victory - of any shape or form - was requisite this afternoon.

The deciding goal arrived five minutes from half-time when an errant throw from Swansea keeper Michael Vorm landed at the feet of Andrey Arshavin. The Russian converted from a narrow angle.

The home side never quite kicked on from there and Swansea were always threatening. The experience of new signings helped Arsenal hold them off but at the same time it was clear Wenger’s men need a little time to gel.

However, let’s be clear, this is a fillip for everyone whose heart is held at Emirates Stadium.

The pressure was on and the team responded with the one panacea for a football problem - victory.

Arsenal’s season is underway.

The previews had painted this as a massive game for Wenger and his team. The despondency that immediately followed that 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford had been dissipated by a two-week break for international matches and five new signings in 48 hours before the transfer window closed.

With Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) likely to be out for a while, Wenger started two of the new additions - Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta - at centre back and in central midfield respectively. Ju Young Park, Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun began on the bench.

Meanwhile Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna were back from injury. Emmanuel Frimpong returned after suspension.

This was Swansea’s first League meeting against Arsenal since New Year’s Day 1983. Brendan Rodgers’ side were the first Welsh outfit to grace the Premier League but this afternoon their manager was not with them. Sadly, his father had passed away on the morning of the game.

Despite a lively start from the home side, Rodgers would have been proud of his men in the first half.

However, within a minute of the first whistle, Arsenal might have been in front via, ironically, a Welshman. Arteta stormed through centre midfield before laying on a pass for Aaron Ramsey who slid his shot over the bar.

But Rodgers has built this Swansea side on solid footballing principles and hard work. Despite the early let-off, that shone through.

In the sixth minute, Wojciech Szczesny used all of his 6ft 3ins frame to claw in a header from Danny Graham when it appeared to be heading just inside the near post. It would be arguably the clearest chance before the goal.

That said, Arsenal might have gone in front in the 13th minute when Arshavin’s pass inside left back Neil Taylor allowed Theo Walcott to nip in and clip the ball past the advancing Vorm. The ball trickled towards the empty net but Steven Caulker raced back to deal with the danger on the line.

Arteta had a free-kick blocked and Frimpong dragged his shot down as Arsenal looked to take control. But 10 minutes from the whistle Swansea carved out a couple of decent chances. First Taylor’s penetrative cross was missed by Graham at the near post and Gibbs had to the ball out for a corner. That fell to Joe Allen 12 yards out but Mertesacker timed his slide perfectly to block.

It was then, just as Swansea were levelling up the game, that Arsenal scored. In the 40th minute, Walcott’s shot looped high and wide only for Vorm to intercept and bowl out the ball on the far side of the area. His effort hit the heel of Angel Rangel and fell nicely for Arshavin, who converted in to the empty net from an acute angle.

It was horribly hard on Swansea but then Arsenal had been overpunished against Liverpool last time out at Emirates Stadium.

Football is forever unforgiving.

The goal did not affect Swansea at the start of the second half. Eight minutes in, Laruent Koscielny clipped Sinclair on the edge of the area. The Englishman got up and took the free-kick. It was powerful and goalbound but Szczesny tipped the ball onto the bar.

Van Persie responded by beating Rangel and Leon Britton before planting a low, curling shot against the outside of the post. Then Arshavin thundered over from distance and Van Persie skied a shot when well-placed.

Up to this point, it had not been vintage Wenger but his team were worth their lead. Arsenal sides throughout history had soothed painful periods with solid 1-0 wins. Surely that would be enough this afternoon.

With minutes 63 gone, Wenger replaced Arshavin with Benayoun. Certainly the home side needed a little lift. They were hardly under pressure but, at the same time, they were not comfortable.

Arteta had a shot deflected wide then, after replacing Van Persie, Marouane Chamakh produced a towering header from Gibb’s high, hanging cross. Vorm held on.

As the minutes ticked away, Arsenal looked relatively comfortable until Swansea chanced their arm in injury time. The Welsh side continued to play their game and might have grabbed a last-gasp point with Graham hooked a shot over the bar from close-range following a corner. Gibbs dribbled forward and tested Vorm by way of response.

At the whistle, Arsenal fans were relieved as they were happy.

But they had all three points.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 10 Sep 11