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ENGLAND. — Torrential rain in Swansea, yet another goal from Alexis Sanchez, all followed by another rapid collapse from Arsenal’s fragile defensive unit. Stop me if you might have heard this one before.
Five days after watching his team surrender a three-goal lead in Europe against Anderlecht, Arsene Wenger saw another lead disappear. This one was perhaps more damaging, as defeat left Arsenal trailing Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea by a dozen points.
They are also a point behind Swansea, who responded brilliantly to the opener scored by Sanchez in the 63rd minute and swamped their visitors. Arsenal led for 12 minutes before Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled with a superb free-kick and Bafetimbi Gomis headed in the winner, seconds after coming off the bench to replace Wilfried Bony.
They had to survive a frantic finish, and a penalty appeal when a header by Yaya Sanogo skidded into the arm of Neil Taylor, but they clinched the win and celebrated at the end, no-one more so than former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
For an hour it had been a tense struggle. Swansea started most brightly, before Arsenal fought back.
The first incident was a penalty appeal denied the home team. Having had a good public whinge about getting the rough end of a few decisions, Swansea boss Monk was complaining again, midway through the first half, when Calum Chambers barged clumsily into Wilfried Bony from behind as the Swansea striker controlled a cross on his chest.
Bony collapsed in a heap inside the penalty area and there was an exaggerated ripple of disbelief as referee Phil Down ignored calls for a foul; the sort of reaction commonly found at the Emirates Stadium.
Up went Monk’s arms in disgust and was soon to be found locked in conversation with assistant referee and fourth official on the touchline. Swansea are smarting from some painful decisions in the recent weeks. An ironic cheer went up when they were awarded a free-kick, deep in defence, just before half-time.
Swansea striker Bony must have thought he could benefit against a flimsy Arsenal defence which surrendered a three-goal lead to Anderlecht in the Champions League and with sticking plasters covering cracks.
The Ivorian sought to play on makeshift centre half Nacho Monreal whenever he could, although Mathieu Flamini tried to help out his team-mate, and often dropped to double-up on Bony, who did not cash in as he might have hoped. Gomis had more joy, as soon as he came on.
At right back Chambers is struggling, with the look a talented teenager who could do with a break, but Arsenal’s lack of alternatives mean it is not possible and he will join England for games against Slovenia and Scotland.
Jefferson Montero turned Chambers to launch he move which ended with Bony sliding a pass to Marvin Emnes, who was denied by Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsenal grew steadily stronger as the first half progressed, with their best moments revolving around Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who ran at defenders, forced them into poor decisions and drew yellow cards for Neil Taylor and Ki Sung-Yeung.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was involved in an intricate move with Alexis Sanchez, which opened a glimpse of goal for Daniel Welbeck, but his effort was beaten away by former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Aaron Ramsey met a looping Ashley Wiliams clearance with volley which flashed narrowly wide and Per Mertesacker beat Kyle Bartley — another former Arsenal player — in the air only to plant his header wide from a corner.
Ox was clear, again unable to beat Fabianski early in the second half, which opened with similar rhythms to the first.
The football was intense but not fluent and the game disrupted by unforced errors, free-kicks, yellow cards and treatment for injuries, which was contrary to expectations from two smooth passing teams.
As the rain come down with added force, Fabianski saved a drive from Cazorla which skipped through the puddles. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter