Arsenal Vs Swansea: Arsene Wenger Prioritising Relentless Pace

Arsene Wenger, when breaking down Arsenal’s win over Swansea City, praised the side’s relentless pace. It is this attribute that can lead to title success.

Early in the season, Arsenal played with an effervescent energy that overwhelmed many of their opponents. Such an approach started with the positional switch of Alexis Sanchez, converting him from a dangerous wide-man into a harassing centre-forward and it culminated in a fabulous three-goal demolition of now league-leaders Chelsea.

Related Story: Top 10 Prospects Of 2017

The mobility and the dynamism of the front four – Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil – caused opposing defences great problems. They pressed high up the pitch, adopting a style much more akin to Jurgen Klopp than Arsene Wenger, and were interchangeable in attacking areas, looking to create through a blend of confusion and pace.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

However, since early December, Arsenal have not played with the same intensity. They have looked lethargic, lax, even tired, struggling to cope with opposing teams who impressed their will on the deep-lying midfielders, giving them neither time nor space in possession. That was the case against Swansea on Saturday. At least in the first half. This is what Wenger said in his post-match press conference:

"“We had some problems to get going but I put that down to the fact that Swansea played very well in the first half. They were well-organised, they put unbelievable work in and certainly the second half we took over and they couldn’t follow the pace that we put into the game anymore. We were relentless until the end and much sharper in the transitions and more accurate and quicker in our passing. That made a big difference.”"

The concerns that arose from a sub-par first half display were quickly answered in the second. A blistering first 10 minutes; Lukasz Fabianski make numerous good saves; Alexis Sanchez have a fearsome shot blocked; Aaron Ramsey miss what should have been a certain goal, saw Arsenal eventually score the second goal in fortuitous fashion – a huge, looped deflection off of Jack Cork and over the stranded Fabianski – and all but end the match.

The sharpness, as Wenger himself states, both in the team’s pressing and passing, was evident. Swansea were overran. It was a display of great pace, relentless waves of attacks, quickly recovering possession; Granit Xhaka made a key, sliding block to set up the third goal, and then looking forward to release players with great incision; Mesut Ozil then played a lovely ball wide to Alex Iwobi off of Xhaka’s interception.

Next: Arsenal Vs Swansea City: 5 Things We Learned

Wenger clearly instructed his team to push up the pitch in the second half. Gone were the lethargic legs of the opening period, instead replaced by vibrancy and verve. If Arsenal do harbour hopes of a first Premier League title in over a decade, then prioritising this relentless pace will be at the heart of it.