Swansea 3-2 Arsenal - The Gunners Are In Serious Trouble!
January 16th 2012 20:03
Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the top four were dealt a major blow on Sunday at the Liberty Stadium.
Things started very well for Arsenal, with Robin Van Persie giving them a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute, after being played in by Andrei Arshavin. That lead would only last for just over 10 minutes, after Aaron Ramsey was penalised for a foul on Nathan Dyer. Scott Sinclair cooly converted the spot kick, and everything was level again.
Arsenal were outplayed for a lot of the game. They created a couple of chances, when Yossi Benayoun put Robin Van Persie in the clear, you'd of put your money on the Dutchman netting his second of the game, but he was denied by his compatriot Michel Vorm.
As the second half got underway, Swansea had a couple of half chances, Nathan Dyer was looking dangerous throughout, so it was no surprise when he gave the Welsh side the lead just before the hour mark.
Arsene Wenger's response was to bring on Thierry Henry, but the French striker couldn't add to his goal against Leeds last Monday night. Instead it was the man who wears his old number 14 shirt nowadays that got Arsenal's equaliser. Theo Walcott had a largely ineffective game, but in the 69th minute he levelled the scores, and Arsenal became the first team to score twice at the Liberty Stadium all season, a place that Swansea have made their fortress.
Walcott's goal was cancelled out straight away, as Henry gave the ball away and Swansea hit back instantly. Danny Graham struck the winner to give Swansea their first win over Arsenal since 1982.
I thought this game would be a tight one, with 1-0 goal either way or a goalless encounter being my prediction. Boy was I wrong. However, i'm still not surprised, seeing as Arsenal have conceded more goals than any other team on their travels this season.
The defeat leaves Arsenal 4 points behind Chelsea who are in 4th and 10 points adrift of North London neighbours Tottenham in 3rd. Chelsea completed the signing of Gary Cahill earlier today, in an effort to strengthen their defence. He was a man Arsene Wenger tried to add to the Arsenal squad last summer, instead he signed German giant Per Mertesacker. We'll see how Cahill does at Stamford Bridge, but I have a feeling Wenger may regret not snapping him up when he had the chance. Chris Samba handed in a transfer request at Blackburn earlier today, why can't Arsenal get rid of either or both of Sebastian Squillaci and Johan Djourou, and make a move for Samba?. There's no harm in bolstering a back line that is injury prone and also one that leaks a lot of goals.
The papers suggest a left back could be heading to the Emirates in January, with Wayne Bridge and Lyon's Aly Cissokho the media's favourites to join. All I know is, that if Arsenal play like this for the rest of the season, and Wenger doesn't add to his squad, they'll be lucky to have any form of European football this season.
Things started very well for Arsenal, with Robin Van Persie giving them a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute, after being played in by Andrei Arshavin. That lead would only last for just over 10 minutes, after Aaron Ramsey was penalised for a foul on Nathan Dyer. Scott Sinclair cooly converted the spot kick, and everything was level again.
Van Persie wheels away in celebration after putting Arsenal in front early on
Arsenal were outplayed for a lot of the game. They created a couple of chances, when Yossi Benayoun put Robin Van Persie in the clear, you'd of put your money on the Dutchman netting his second of the game, but he was denied by his compatriot Michel Vorm.
As the second half got underway, Swansea had a couple of half chances, Nathan Dyer was looking dangerous throughout, so it was no surprise when he gave the Welsh side the lead just before the hour mark.
Arsene Wenger's response was to bring on Thierry Henry, but the French striker couldn't add to his goal against Leeds last Monday night. Instead it was the man who wears his old number 14 shirt nowadays that got Arsenal's equaliser. Theo Walcott had a largely ineffective game, but in the 69th minute he levelled the scores, and Arsenal became the first team to score twice at the Liberty Stadium all season, a place that Swansea have made their fortress.
Walcott celebrates his first goal since October.
Walcott's goal was cancelled out straight away, as Henry gave the ball away and Swansea hit back instantly. Danny Graham struck the winner to give Swansea their first win over Arsenal since 1982.
I thought this game would be a tight one, with 1-0 goal either way or a goalless encounter being my prediction. Boy was I wrong. However, i'm still not surprised, seeing as Arsenal have conceded more goals than any other team on their travels this season.
The defeat leaves Arsenal 4 points behind Chelsea who are in 4th and 10 points adrift of North London neighbours Tottenham in 3rd. Chelsea completed the signing of Gary Cahill earlier today, in an effort to strengthen their defence. He was a man Arsene Wenger tried to add to the Arsenal squad last summer, instead he signed German giant Per Mertesacker. We'll see how Cahill does at Stamford Bridge, but I have a feeling Wenger may regret not snapping him up when he had the chance. Chris Samba handed in a transfer request at Blackburn earlier today, why can't Arsenal get rid of either or both of Sebastian Squillaci and Johan Djourou, and make a move for Samba?. There's no harm in bolstering a back line that is injury prone and also one that leaks a lot of goals.
Samba: Arsenal should be in for him
The papers suggest a left back could be heading to the Emirates in January, with Wayne Bridge and Lyon's Aly Cissokho the media's favourites to join. All I know is, that if Arsenal play like this for the rest of the season, and Wenger doesn't add to his squad, they'll be lucky to have any form of European football this season.
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