Wenger's 2000th Goal See Gunners Pass The First Test

Match Review: Swansea 0 Arsenal 3 - Premier League 31.10.15

After a humbling night in Sheffield, a much changed Arsenal side returned to winning ways at Swansea, a ground where we’ve had mixed fortunes in the past. With our squad severely depleted by injuries, it’s a huge win for us at a really difficult ground to go to and with Man Utd dropping points and City winning, the three points were vital. It’s the perfect way to kick off a challenging week that will take us to the international break and hopefully some much needed respite from injury problems.

There were two changes from the team that beat Everton, with Joel Campbell replacing the injured Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gabriel dropping to the bench with Mertesacker playing. With Walcott also injured in the week, the bench was as weak as I’ve ever seen, with five defensive players and the only real attacking option being Alex Iwobi. The job of winning the game fell entirely to the starting XI.

To begin with, it looked as if just drawing the game would be an achievement. Swansea were the better team in the first half and as usual, Montero was a terror down the right. Swansea had as clear cut a chance as you could get as we got caught miles too far up the pitch and Shelvey released Gomis. Gomis, who has already scored a winner against us twice, had almost too much time as he ran free and Cech stood up as long as possible. The striker couldn’t make his mind up, tried to go round Cech and made a hash of it, allowing Hector Bellerin to clear behind.  

Despite Swansea playing well, they didn’t have many more chances aside from the one Gomis squandered and we punished them early in the second half. It was an unusual way for us to score, as Özil whipped a corner in and Giroud had the freedom of the six yard to head in. It made up for the Frenchman wasting a glorious chance in the first half and continues his excellent form for the season.

The second goal was not as conventional and was mainly down to the return of Flappyhandski. A lot of people will claim this goal was controversial, but for me this is goalkeeping error. Keepers are massively over protected and often have their blushes saved by referees who take the safe option and award a free kick. On this occasion though, the referee made the brave call. Williams headed Özil's cross high into the air and Koscielny, still forward from a set piece, backed towards the ball. Fabianski tried to jump and catch the ball over the top of Koscielny, but made a mess of it and dropped it at the Frenchman's feet. Everyone but Koscielny and Giroud seemed to stop and expect a free kick, but the former stuck the ball in the net and the referee pointed to the centre circle. Swansea were unhappy, but Koscielny merely held his ground, he'd stopped moving when Fabianski tried to claim the ball and the goalkeeper jumped into him.

There was nothing controversial about number three though. Swansea looked deflated from the second goal and their hard work in the first half meant tired legs at the end. Özil and Alexis played a nice give and go and the former's low, fizzing cross evaded Cazorla but found Campbell at the back post. The Costa Rican, on his first Premier League start, controlled, composed himself and then lashed the ball home. It capped off an impressive game for him, having had a rather subdued beginning to his Arsenal career.

Test one of three passed. Swansea haven't been in the best form, but they're a really tough team to play at their place and they've already taken Man Utd's scalp there. Add to that our indifferent record against the Swans and this is an excellent victory for us. Attention now turns to the biggest of the three games, an away trip to Bayern. We need to avoid defeat there to keep our qualification hopes alive, with Olympiakos likely to move onto nine points with victory over Zagreb. Potentially we could still get through if we lose, but that would require Olympiakos to lose to Bayern and for us to win in Greece by two clear goals. It'll take a massive effort out in the Allianz, but we know we're capable of getting a result there.

Teams

Swansea (4-2-3-1)
Fabianski, Naughton, Williams (Y), Fernandez, Taylor, Shelvey, Ki (Y) (Britton 85'), Montero (Barrow 79'), Sigurdsson, Ayew, Gomis (Eder 85')
Subs
Britton, Nordfeldt, Eder, Rangel, Cork, Bartley, Barrow

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Campbell (Gibbs 84'), Özil (Iwobi 93'), Alexis, Giroud (Chambers 84')
Subs
Macey, Debuchy, Chambers, Gabriel, Flamini, Gibbs, Iwobi

Playing Ratings

Cech - 8/10 - Made a telling contribution with some big saves
Bellerin - 8/10 - Ridiculous speed and dealt well with Montero on the whole
Mertesacker - 7/10 - Solid bar one mad moment for the Gomis chance
Koscielny - 7/10 - Ditto, but with a goal to add to that
Monreal - 7/10 - Best left back in the league right now
Coquelin - 7/10 - Solid as a rock
Cazorla - 7/10 - Not much of an influence in the first half, but better in the second
Campbell - 8/10 - Worked really hard and deserved his goal
Özil - 8/10 - Two more assists, and oozes class and confidence
Alexis - 7/10 - Looked furious not to get a goal, hopefully will score in the next two
Giroud - 8/10 - Best goals to minutes ratio in the league, but still people hate

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