Swansea 2 - 2 Arsenal: Defensive errors cost Arsenal again

[Jay29]

First Half

Most people expect an open, entertaining game when two passing sides come together. In reality, though, when two passing sides come together the game is often cagey, with both sides trying to exert their dominance on each other. The game only becomes open when defences start making mistakes.

The first half today was even and cagey. Arsenal kept a lot of the ball but had little joy going forward. Swansea looked to play forward quickly when they got the ball and got in behind once or twice, but they weren't much of a threat, either.

Arsenal's shape was of particular interest. We expected Walcott to play on the right hand side but he seldom occupied that area. Instead, whenever we attacked, he played alongside Giroud up front. Then, when Arsenal defended, he returned to the right hand side. In addition, Giroud, for some reason, dropped deep on the left hand side, leaving Cazorla as the lone central player.

It was strange movement and I'm not quite sure what Arsenal were trying to accomplish with it. Walcott got some joy leaving his station on the right and running at Swansea's defence, but this often left us with nobody on the right hand side as neither Sagna or Cazorla moved to occupy that space. This meant that a lot of our attacks were focused down the left hand side, where Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere and Giroud tended gravitate towards.

Ramsey and Cazorla had little influence on the game in this half, seemingly confused as to where they should be on the pitch with two strikers up top instead of the usual one. There were a couple of good moments when Ramsey broke into the penalty area to get ahead of Giroud, but other then that, there wasn't much to shout about.

Second Half

Arsenal looked more dangerous in the second half. The attacks were focused down the left hand side again, except this time Cazorla got involved more. The link-up down that side was much better, with better passing and movement, and we started to create a few more chances.

But as is the way with Arsenal, we have to make an error at the back and gift the opposition a goal. I'm sure fingers will be pointed at Mertesacker for the first goal but it was Koscielny's clearance that really created problems. His scuffed clearance fell kindly for Michu, who was quicker and sharper to the ball than Mertesacker. Neither centre back covered themselves in glory here; one has to be stronger and clear the ball properly, the other has to be more alert to the danger.

Swansea's defending wasn't great, either, and Podolski was on-hand to take advantage of the space he was afforded in the penalty area.

Our second goal came soon after. Gibbs came in off the left flank, played a one-two with Giroud then smashed a volley into the roof of the net. Gibbs has gotten forward really well a lot in recent games, but his end product has always been a bit average so for him to score a goal of that quality was a pleasant surprise.

You'd think at this point that Arsenal could hold on and see the last five minutes plus stoppage time out, but of course, we must make a mistake at the back. Swansea's corner kick isn't cleared properly and it drops to Ki inside the area. About three Arsenal players go to meet Ki on the ball, but absolutely no one notices Danny Graham making a move towards the six yard box. When Graham gets it, Arteta is slow to come off his post and meet him, affording Graham the time to fire a powerful shot into the top corner. It's a great finish, but it's laughable he's allowed that much time and space on the edge of our six yard box.

A replay it is, then.

Let's stop with the overreacting

Nobody wanted a replay but the reaction from some fans has been over-the-top, particularly in regards to our defence.

Maybe it's just me, but I thought our defence did okay for the majority of the game. It was not a comfortable afternoon but we coped fairly well. If not for the individual errors, we win the game 1-0 or 2-0. Swansea really did not trouble our goal that much.

It was the same with Southampton last week. It wasn't a great defensive display, but they only scored after we made a big error at the back. Cut that error out and the result would've been 0-0 or 1-0 to us.

As much as we've had problems up top, mistakes at the back have also been a big contribution towards our inconsistency this year.

The performance was actually pretty good, on a whole. It was just the errors in defence that let us down.

Overall, there's not a whole lot you can take from this result. The need to strengthen is still highly prevelant, even more so now with two extra games to play this month (potentially three if we go through to the fourth round). The way we're utilising our current attackers still needs to be looked at. Nothing has really changed.

Fingers crossed we can get some more players in ahead of a busy and tough January schedule.

[Lex]

Don't waste your time Jay, allow me

Defence is fcking shit, can't defend set-pieces/long balls/any sort of football in general

The End

[REWB]

bullshit, hopefully before the second leg we have a dm and merte has more match fitness. that was by far our best second half this season. we played with such a high tempo. we need to keep playing like that.

[RealGunner]

That was some excellent stuff going forward. We were Arsenal at their best

But Defending on corners

we need to go back to man to man

[Raptorgunner]

Defense is shit, Mert is just so slow.

Giroud is a waste.

Walcott is scared, all he does is pass it back.

We played against second team Swansea.

We need a real striker.

Where is Rosicky? Wenger wake up.

[furiouswindbottom]

Defensive errors did cost us.

Also, the inclusion of Ramsey almost had us out of the cup. When Podolski came on the difference was obvious.

We were all over them like a cheap suit. 4th round draw taking place btw.

[REWB]

That was some excellent stuff going forward. We were Arsenal at their best

But Defending on corners

we need to go back to man to man

we were even worse at defending from corners when it was man to man. we dont have the players for man to man marking.

[furiouswindbottom]

Away at Brighton if we win the replay.

[SamuelJayC]

Brighton v Arsenal/Swansea

[Raptorgunner]

Koscielny needs help, our defense is getting weaker by the weak.

[DuringTheWar]

brighton would destroy this team. Best let swansea beat us, at least they arent lower league

[Raptorgunner]

brighton would destroy this team. Best let swansea beat us, at least they arent lower league

I agree, Brighton would field their strongest line up and we will get embarrassed.

What would have happened if Swansea fielded their strongest line up?

[Rev]

Our second half was encouraging but it's shocking how the game didn't end up at 4-6.

Our defending was awful. Sagna's form is worrying,should get a breather and let Jenko get some playing time.

Didn't realize we signed Roberto Carlos though.

[Raptorgunner]

Mourinho is right what he said about Wenger, he is very lucky to be in such a secure job although he has no pressure to win.

[Raptorgunner]

Why do we have subs at Arsenal? is Wenger too afraid to make them?

Rosicky?
Oxlade?
Coquelin?
Vermaelen?

waited 70m to make a sub.

Cazorla and Arteta need rest, Wenger has lost it. I know we all pick on Ramsey a lot but I think both Cazorla and Arteta have been worse than Ramsey. I dont Think Wenger Got it anymore.

[Lex]

Walcott can't find consistency being shoved around the pitch every game. Either start him centrally or not at all

Ramsey did his best and should have had an assist after a pinpoint cross to Giroud who fluffed the header

Giroud worked hard and could have had a goal or two.

Sagna.......

Wilshere bulldozed his way through everyone as usual and ended up being fouled left, right and centre

Podolski is class, forget what that idiot free_cat says

[Jay29]

We played against second team Swansea.

What would have happened if Swansea fielded their strongest line up?

Swansea made three changes to their usual line-up: Bartley in for Williams, Tarandelli for Rangel and Graham for Michu. That was in no way a second Swansea team.

Also, the inclusion of Ramsey almost had us out of the cup. When Podolski came on the difference was obvious.

Of course, we can't go without some Ramsey scapegoating. Ramsey was obviously at fault for both of our goals, and the fact that he's playing out of position is obviously not an excuse for his lack of influence in the game.

[Raptorgunner]

I was wondering have we won a game this season with Giroud starting?

Giroud is an embarrassment technically.

[SamuelJayC]

We need 3-4 players.

CB, DM, CF for sure.

[Lex]

I was wondering have we won a game this season with Giroud starting?

West Ham?

[Jay29]

I was wondering have we won a game this season with Giroud starting?

Giroud is an embarrassment technically.

Yeah, that pass to set-up Gibbs' goal was an embarrassment to all technical players everywhere.

[urbaNRoots]

I feel there's something that unbalances the team because when we do WANT to attack we are vulnerable at the back but when we want to defend, we can't attack.

I believe it's the DM issue and amateurish defensive errors that are costing us.

Have one question: When will Diaby be able to start a game again? We're desperate. Really hope he can atleast make the bench next game.

[Raptorgunner]

[DuringTheWar]

giourds problem isnt really technical although it is really inconsistent and annoying. His problem is he looks like he is running in treacle. Very very heavy footed, not fluid at all

[Raptorgunner]

I was wondering have we won a game this season with Giroud starting?

Giroud is an embarrassment technically.

Yeah, that pass to set-up Gibbs' goal was an embarrassment to all technical players everywhere.

what did he do other than that? I know it was great pass, and Gibbs made a great run.

Giroud who is meant to be strong never hustles defenders. Walcott was awful today also he cant beat players, to space for him to run.

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