Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has criticised the tactics of Swansea, accusing them of 'refusing to play' during their 1-0 triumph at the Emirates Stadium.

A late header from Bafetimbi Gomis secured three points for the Swans, for whom goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski put in a terrific display against his former club.

The Gunners dominated possession and had a plethora of chances, the best of which was squandered by substitute Theo Walcott.

After failing to find a breakthrough for the second successive home game, Wenger was left frustrated, but turned his attentions to the away side, rather than his misfiring forwards.

"We were unlucky I think against a team who refused to play completely and just defended," Wenger said. "We've scored plenty of goals until recently.

In pictures - Arsenal 0-1 Swansea:

"In the last two home games we didn't score and that was frustrating when you have so much of the ball and play with such accuracy around the box.

"They defended well. They came just to defend with four defenders and six midfielders, and they defended. That's it.

"If you win, you're fantastic but if you lose people say to you, 'Why did you not play?' They won so they are fantastic."

Response: Monk's response to Wenger's critique was perfect (
Image:
Jamie McDonald)

However Swans boss Garry Monk defended his side's tactics, which involved playing for much of the game without a recognised striker.

Victory keeps Swansea in the hunt for a top six finish and Monk had the perfect riposte for Wenger's condemnation, declaring: "If we didn't play, I'm not sure how we got the three points.

"We could have come here and gone toe-to-toe but, with the individual quality Arsenal have, they could have hurt us, so we set up very well with a game plan.

"We've done it all season. We've played games where we've dominated and won and we've played games like this where we've set up differently."

poll loading

Was Arsene Wenger right to criticise Garry Monk and Swansea's tactics?

1000+ VOTES SO FAR