Arsenal vs Swansea: The Weekend Hangover

Giroud and Ramsey continue to be unfit, meanwhile Theo Walcott could’ve scored five goals: here’s Pain In the Arsenal’s 1st edition of The Weekend Hangover.

Match Preview and Player Ratings were outsourced for this weekend’s edition of Premier League football, so we are making up for it with Pain In the Arsenal’s “Weekend Hangover”, episode 1.

The Gunners hosted Bob Bradley‘s Swansea City for Bradley‘s first match in charge of the Swans, and finished 3-2 winners after 90 minutes of back-and-forth football.

Match Review

Arsenal started the first half slow, but the Swansea defenders made some calamitous errors halfway through the first 45. Arsenal were 2-0 ahead through a brace from Theo Walcott after 35 minutes, and everything was going to plan.

A mistake from Granit Xhaka put the Swans back into the game, though. The Swiss midfielder tried to dribble out of defense and was robbed by Gylfi Sigurdsson before the Icelandic attacking midfielder curled the ball into the back of the net.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

The second half started superbly for the Gunners. Birthday boy Mesut Ozil volleyed a ball into the top net after 10 minutes, after a world-class ball from Alexis Sanchez.

The second half became much more nervy when new arrival Borja Baston tapped Modou Barrow‘s cross in from six yards to make it 3-2. Arsenal didn’t seem sure of whether they should try to kill the game, and the Emirates pitch opened up.

Both teams were breaking at pace, and Granit Xhaka stopped a break in its tracks with a little too much aggression, earning himself a second yellow card and an early bath.

The ensuing moments were fast-paced and lacked quality defending, and this was where Theo Walcott missed two wonderful opportunities to seal his hat-trick.

Walcott split two defenders only to strike the inside of the post, and then hit the corner of post and crossbar with a first time effort at the very end of the match.

Takeaways

Arsenal’s new midfield signing was foolish to have been sent off, but outside of those two mistakes he had a good afternoon.

Arsene Wenger was asked about Olivier Giroud‘s fitness pre-match, and his response wasn’t extremely positive. The Gunners will NEED to rotate their forward line when the matches start to come thick and fast.

Which happens to be pretty much right now.

“Theo Walcott continues to perform but will need to step up in big matches if he wants to be taken seriously”

Arsenal have some great fixtures in the remaining days of October, ones that they could realistically go undefeated in.

The form of Lucas Perez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed El Neny will be crucial when they have to step in and fill roles in cup games. Kieran Gibbs also could be an important factor, after seeing Monreal‘s performance against a speedy winger.

The Spanish left back gave up so many crossing opportunities in the second half. Gibbs came on as a substitute but played in Alex Iwobi‘s (who, by the way, had another good game) position.

Arsenal fans are all excited about the team’s position at the top of the league, but the Gunners have only beat Chelsea as of yet. Spurs’ visit to North London on November 6 is the first test that Arsenal must pass if they want to be considered serious.

As almost a microcosm of the Gunners’ form, Theo Walcott continues to perform but will need to step up in big matches if he wants to be taken seriously.

Another two goals for him brings his total to five in eight Premier League games, BUT he must keep it going and do this over the course of a whole season.

Next: Arsenal Vs Swansea: 5 Things We Learned

Until Next Time…

Another positive result for Arsenal, with good performances from the important players. The Champions League brings about the next challenge, a test in midweek against Ludogorets Razgrad.

No complacency allowed for the Gunners – and no repeats of Olympiakos, David!

Home/Arsenal News