Arsenal grabbed 3 points in a
way they could have easily lost 3 points at the beginning of the season; lots
of fluff and no stuff while the opposition gets one goal to deflate the fans
and another one in injury time to set off boos. Thankfully the opposite
happened, and with Spurs suffering from a post yay-we-beat-Arsenal hangover, the
gap is down to 4 points with a game in hand against relegation-threatened
Reading.
How the teams lined up
Both Swansea and Arsenal lined up in 4-2-3-1 and mostly cancelled each other out, man for man. Both teams are also very comfortable on the ball and very tactically aware, so it was going to come down to which team was going to want the game more or moments of individual brilliance, or egregious stupidity.
How play shaped up
Swansea began the better of the two teams. Arsenal was slow to get on the ball and had few ideas after they did get on it. Swansea meanwhile pressed intelligently and fashioned a couple of good chances that they ended up spurning. A particular pleasing pattern of passes in midfield sent the right back Rangel racing onto Ki’s through ball; he sliced the shot wide under pressure from Koscielny who was aware of the danger and busted a gut to get back. Likewise, Dyer made a right nuisance of himself down the right, his lack of end product letting him down. Britton or Ki often dropped deep to pick up the ball since Cazorla and Giroud were pressing the center backs but disjoined pressing from the Arsenal midfield allowed the two Swansea midfielders to pick out percentage passes, and Swansea were able to build decent attacks as a result. However, Michu frequently dropped into midfield and robbed Swansea of a focal point upfront which is so important in a 4-2-3-1. Arsenal built few attacks and was dependent on individuals creating chances during the first half. Oxlade-Chamberlain beat his man on the left and crashed his shot against the crossbar, and did it again about 30 yards out in the center after a Cazorla dribble.
Arsenal was a little more purposeful in the second half, and this writer thought the pressing was more in tandem and intelligent than the first half. Swansea seemed to sit back for some reason which gave Arteta and Diaby leeway to attempt more adventurous passes forward into Cazorla and the wings. Arsenal recorded the majority of their shots in the second half, and both their goals too. The first goal was down to a Cazorla dribble that drew 3 or 4 defenders to him leaving space for Giroud (to mess up his first touch) that gave the ball away to Monreal to slot it in. A few minutes ago though, Wenger had yanked Diably and Oxlade-Chamberlain and sent on Ramsey and Gervinho. Diaby had had a ordinary game while The Ox had exerted himself much, and the introduction of fresh legs gave Arsenal attacks much needed impetus. Ramsey was energetic in midfield and Gervinho made things happen on his flank and kept Swansea occupied with defense. The substitutes contributed directly to the second goal, Ramsey providing and Gervinho finished with atypical composure past Vorm.
Final thoughts
Swansea made more passes than Arsenal, 651 to 492, yet lacked finishing efficiency and passing penetration on the day, and were also unlucky that Michu fired wide twice. Arsenal’s play in the second half was more purposeful; they attacked and pressed as a unit, and also had players who could create moments of difference. Cazorla’s breathtaking control and dribbling, Jenkinson’s energy and composure (save one wonky pass), Koscielny’s last ditch tackling, and also to mention Wenger’s correct substitutions were crucial on the day.Michu was definitely off colour, dropped too deep, and Swansea were unable to fashion any crucial chances; Fabianski didn’t have a save to make. Interestingly, there was a moment when Giroud dropped into midfield and Arteta screamed at him to get back up front--emphasizing the importance of the focal point upfront in the 4-2-3-1. Diaby was outplayed by Ki initially in the battle of the “ball carriers”, but came back stronger in the second half. Arsenal's purposeful pressing and passing, combined with the quality of Cazorla, made the difference in the end.
Ratings
Fabianski: Made a smart save from an offside Michu effort. 7/10
Jenkinson: Save one silly moment, was solid and willingly got up and down the flank. 8/10
Mertesacker: Much more calm and composed than recent games. 7/10
Koscielny: Made a few important blocks and interceptions, and looked very confident. 7/10
Monreal: Thank you for the goal, senor. 8/10
Arteta: Was back to his usual metronomic self, good communication on the day. 7/10
Diaby: Started badly, made a couple of fancy dribbles, but a day to forget overall. 6/10
Oxlade-Chamberlain: Energetic display, and unlucky to have not scored. 7/10
Cazorla: Made all the plays and proved to be the difference in the end. 9/10
Walcott: Not much of an attacking threat, brownie points for defensive effort. 6/10
Giroud: Put himself about and won fair share of aerial duels. 6/10
Substitutes:
Gervinho: First goal since October and injected much needed pace at crucial point in the game. 7/10
Ramsey: Willing as always and looked confident on the ball during time on the pitch. 7/10
Gibbs: Not enough time to get on the ball
How the teams lined up
Both Swansea and Arsenal lined up in 4-2-3-1 and mostly cancelled each other out, man for man. Both teams are also very comfortable on the ball and very tactically aware, so it was going to come down to which team was going to want the game more or moments of individual brilliance, or egregious stupidity.
How play shaped up
Swansea began the better of the two teams. Arsenal was slow to get on the ball and had few ideas after they did get on it. Swansea meanwhile pressed intelligently and fashioned a couple of good chances that they ended up spurning. A particular pleasing pattern of passes in midfield sent the right back Rangel racing onto Ki’s through ball; he sliced the shot wide under pressure from Koscielny who was aware of the danger and busted a gut to get back. Likewise, Dyer made a right nuisance of himself down the right, his lack of end product letting him down. Britton or Ki often dropped deep to pick up the ball since Cazorla and Giroud were pressing the center backs but disjoined pressing from the Arsenal midfield allowed the two Swansea midfielders to pick out percentage passes, and Swansea were able to build decent attacks as a result. However, Michu frequently dropped into midfield and robbed Swansea of a focal point upfront which is so important in a 4-2-3-1. Arsenal built few attacks and was dependent on individuals creating chances during the first half. Oxlade-Chamberlain beat his man on the left and crashed his shot against the crossbar, and did it again about 30 yards out in the center after a Cazorla dribble.
Arsenal was a little more purposeful in the second half, and this writer thought the pressing was more in tandem and intelligent than the first half. Swansea seemed to sit back for some reason which gave Arteta and Diaby leeway to attempt more adventurous passes forward into Cazorla and the wings. Arsenal recorded the majority of their shots in the second half, and both their goals too. The first goal was down to a Cazorla dribble that drew 3 or 4 defenders to him leaving space for Giroud (to mess up his first touch) that gave the ball away to Monreal to slot it in. A few minutes ago though, Wenger had yanked Diably and Oxlade-Chamberlain and sent on Ramsey and Gervinho. Diaby had had a ordinary game while The Ox had exerted himself much, and the introduction of fresh legs gave Arsenal attacks much needed impetus. Ramsey was energetic in midfield and Gervinho made things happen on his flank and kept Swansea occupied with defense. The substitutes contributed directly to the second goal, Ramsey providing and Gervinho finished with atypical composure past Vorm.
Final thoughts
Swansea made more passes than Arsenal, 651 to 492, yet lacked finishing efficiency and passing penetration on the day, and were also unlucky that Michu fired wide twice. Arsenal’s play in the second half was more purposeful; they attacked and pressed as a unit, and also had players who could create moments of difference. Cazorla’s breathtaking control and dribbling, Jenkinson’s energy and composure (save one wonky pass), Koscielny’s last ditch tackling, and also to mention Wenger’s correct substitutions were crucial on the day.Michu was definitely off colour, dropped too deep, and Swansea were unable to fashion any crucial chances; Fabianski didn’t have a save to make. Interestingly, there was a moment when Giroud dropped into midfield and Arteta screamed at him to get back up front--emphasizing the importance of the focal point upfront in the 4-2-3-1. Diaby was outplayed by Ki initially in the battle of the “ball carriers”, but came back stronger in the second half. Arsenal's purposeful pressing and passing, combined with the quality of Cazorla, made the difference in the end.
Ratings
Fabianski: Made a smart save from an offside Michu effort. 7/10
Jenkinson: Save one silly moment, was solid and willingly got up and down the flank. 8/10
Mertesacker: Much more calm and composed than recent games. 7/10
Koscielny: Made a few important blocks and interceptions, and looked very confident. 7/10
Monreal: Thank you for the goal, senor. 8/10
Arteta: Was back to his usual metronomic self, good communication on the day. 7/10
Diaby: Started badly, made a couple of fancy dribbles, but a day to forget overall. 6/10
Oxlade-Chamberlain: Energetic display, and unlucky to have not scored. 7/10
Cazorla: Made all the plays and proved to be the difference in the end. 9/10
Walcott: Not much of an attacking threat, brownie points for defensive effort. 6/10
Giroud: Put himself about and won fair share of aerial duels. 6/10
Substitutes:
Gervinho: First goal since October and injected much needed pace at crucial point in the game. 7/10
Ramsey: Willing as always and looked confident on the ball during time on the pitch. 7/10
Gibbs: Not enough time to get on the ball
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