Swans beat Arsenal at their own game

Swansea City outplayed and outpassed Arsenal to record a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

Swansea were promoted from the Championship playing an exciting brand of football and have carried that passing philosophy into the Premier League. The home side enjoyed the majority of the possession as they played and beat Arsenal at their own game, defying the pre-game Premier League odds in the process.

Arsenal started with pace and purpose and took the lead early on when Robin van Persie collected Andrey Arshavin’s neat pass to fire past Michel Vorm.

Swansea hit back immediately, with livewires Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair to the fore. The pair combined to get their side back on level terms from the spot. Ramsey brought Dyer down in the box and Sinclair duly despatched the resulting penalty. It was a contentious call
but Swansea were back on level terms.

The game was being played at a frenetic pace and both sides had chances to go in front before the break – Ramsey threatened for Arsenal, while Dyer tested Wojciech Szczesny at the other end. Van Persie fired straight at Vorm after being put through by Yossi Benayoun.

The Dutch international was made to pay for his wastefulness when Dyer put Swansea in front just before the hour. Joe Allen dispossessed Ramsey and fed Dyer who finished past Szczesny to give his side the lead for the first time.

Arsenal struck back through Theo Walcott, but the celebrations had barely died down when Danny Graham put Swansea back in front. The Gunners switched off and Graham took full advantage to make it 3-2 less than a minute after Walcott’s equaliser.

Swansea saw out the final 20 minutes to record a famous victory which saw them move into the top half of the table and send the fans who watch football live in south Wales very happy indeed.