Arsenal have responded well to Troy Deeney's jibe about the Gunners' lack of 'cojones'... as Swansea show they are more than capable of beating drop

  • Arsenal came from behind to beat Swansea 2-1 on Saturday at the Emirates
  • Sead Kolasinac and Aaron Ramsey scored for hosts after Sam Clucas' early goal 
  • Arsenal have responded well to Troy Deeney's jibe about their lack of 'cojones' 

Arsenal and a sense of discord could never be described as distant cousins, whether it is on the field or in forums such as last week’s Annual General Meeting, where a condescending attitude prevailed towards small shareholders.

They could not afford to look down their noses at Swansea, and after fifty minutes familiar resentments were swirling around the Emirates. Lots of pretty stuff amounting to very little, with the suspicion that demonstrably inferior opposition might be more intent on carving out a result.

A soft goal against the run of play separated the teams before the possibly underestimated Sead Kolasinac came to the rescue.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Swansea 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League

Arsenal came from behind to beat Swansea 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League

Kolasinac is a more accomplished player than his nickname of The Tank might suggest. Perhaps some of his earthier qualities are what Arsenal need, but there were a few delightful combinations down the left with Alexis Sanchez before he limped off in the last quarter of an hour that showed his qualities.


Arsenal have responded well to Troy Deeney’s now famous jibe about their possible lack of ‘cojones’, and this turned out to be their fourth consecutive win since the Watford’s player frank post-match analysis of their combative instincts, or lack of them.

It was the twenty minute spell of play after half-time, a period that also took in Aaron Ramsey’s winner, which was a reminder of why - in what was his 800th match in charge – Arsene Wenger produces teams that are so compelling to watch.

Sead Kolasinac enjoyed an impressive game down the left and scored the equaliser for Arsenal

Sead Kolasinac enjoyed an impressive game down the left and scored the equaliser for Arsenal

The quickfire interactions of Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil stretched Swansea in every direction, and this could have been a considerably more overwhelming result. Wenger has spent much of his time in North London, especially in recent years, beating off the idea that it is time to move on and the momentum is starting to build once more in his favour, although the test of Manchester City awaits next week before the international break.

It was not the greatest surprise that Swansea would provide them with a difficult code to crack.

The Welsh team, relegation escapologists from last season, had won three of their last six matches against Arsene Wenger’s men and brought their defensive black wall along the M4 with them. It is a barrier that will foil attacks far less guileful that of Arsenal.

Sam Clucas celebrates scoring the opening goal with Swansea team-mate Tammy Abraham 

Sam Clucas celebrates scoring the opening goal with Swansea team-mate Tammy Abraham 

They came into the match having conceded only two goals in six away trips and it was not hard to see why as they thwarted wave after wave of slickly patterned assaults from the home team in the opening 45 minutes.

Marshalled by Captain and Argentina international Federico Fernandez, they made light of the absence of established left back Martin Olsson, parking Alfie Mawson and Mike Van Der Horn either side of Fernandes, supported by Sam Clucas and Kyle Naughton on the flanks.

They are floating around the danger zone and again it is unlikely to be a comfortable season for them, but with the organisational skills of Paul Clement there was enough evidence here that there should be at least three other teams more likely to go down.

 

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