Premier League
Arsenal
Dec 1, 2012 3.00pm
0
2
HT : 0 0
FT
Swansea
  • Thomas Vermaelen 85' yellowcard
  • goal Michu 88'
  • goal Michu 90'

Live Commentary: Arsenal 0-2 Swansea - as it happened

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Arsenal 0-2 Swansea - as it happened
© PA Photos

Swansea City travelled to the Emirates Stadium this afternoon looking for their first win at Arsenal since 1982.

Michael Laudrup's men gave a great account of themselves and should have been leading by half time.

It remained goalless at the break, but two late strikes from Miguel Michu gave them a much-deserved victory.

You can read how the action unfolded below.

4.50pmWow. What a result for the Swans. Much deserved too.
FULL-TIMEArsenal 0-2 Swansea
91 minsArsenal were all at sea as they pushed forward for an equaliser. The ball broke to Michu on the halfway line and he galloped unchallenged towards Arsenal's goal. He never looked like missing as he bested Szczesny once again to prompt boos all around the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal in crisis!
91 minsGOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Swansea (Michu)
90 minsThree minutes for Arsenal to rescue a point.
90 mins... and it was coming.
87 minsLovely link-up play by Moore and Michu. The former (yes, former) slipped a wonderful ball through to Michu, who was allowed a free run at Szczesny. This time, there's no mistake as he coolly slots past the Pole. That's the first goal Arsenal have conceded in the final 15 minutes of a game this season and it looks to have set the Swans on course for their first victory at Arsenal since 1982!
87 minsGOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Swansea (Michu)
86 minsCLOSE! Gibbs drifts a cross in from the left that Ki inadvertently flicks on. Vermaelen arrives late into the box, but can only head straight at Tremmel.
85 minsI say latter, I meant former. Just to be clear, it was Tiendalli that should have scored.
84 minsBIG CHANCE! That was it for Swansea right there! Tiendalli and Moore play a one-two, presenting the latter with a glorious chance. He only had Szczesny to beat, but the Pole made a terrific save! Will Swansea rue that missed opportunity?
82 minsIt's still anyone's game with eight minutes plus injury time remaining.
80 minsArsenal substitution: Tomas Roskicky replaces Jack Wilshere.
79 minsDon't let the scoreline fool you, it's been quite open at the Emirates.
75 minsSwansea substitution: Dwight Tiendalli replaces Jonathan de Guzman.
74 minsReplays show that it was actually a slight touch from Flores that nicked the ball away from Giroud as he only had Tremmel to beat. Fantastic tackle!
71 minsSHOT! Cazorla takes on a first-time volley following Williams's poor headed clearance, but Tremmel saves well and hangs on to it. Great technique by the Spaniard, but no cigar...
69 minsCHANCE! Giroud nearly capitalises on Flores's error! He was through on goal but his touch was a bit heavy. Flores slid in as he tried to redeem himself and the Frenchman went down clutching his ankle, but there was minimal contact.
66 minsSwansea substitution: Luke Moore replaces Itay Shechter.
66 minsDouble Arsenal substitution: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud come on to replace Lukas Podolski and Gervinho.
66 minsArsenal put more pressure on the Swansea defence, which holds firm. Michael Laudrup has his side extremely well organised at the back.
64 minsSwansea have arrived in this second half now. Shechter nearly set up Dyer on the edge of the area, but the diminutive winger couldn't squeeze a shot off.
62 minsGREAT PLAY BY RANGEL! The Spaniard slalomed his way into the area before unleashing a shot that Szczesny turned around the post.
60 minsSHOT! Cazorla has a dig from long range but it's straight down Tremmel's throat. Arsenal are seeing plenty of the ball but lack a cutting edge.
58 minsCazorla goes looking for a penalty. He made a burst in between Flores and Rangel and went down under very little persuasion. That should've been a yellow card.
54 minsIt actually looks like Arsenal are trying to fake giving effort. It's easy to knock the ball around at the back, but going forward they're just short of ideas. And with creative muses such as Wilshere and Cazorla, that really shouldn't be happening.
50 minsGervinho goes down on the edge of the area after being seemingly blocked by Chico Flores. Clattenburg isn't interested and waves away half-hearted protests for a penalty.
47 minsSHOT! Wilshere drifts past two challenges and tees up Cazorla, but Tremmel is comfortable in dealing with the Spaniard's stinging effort.
SECOND HALFSwansea resume play...
3.59pmElsewhere in the Premier League:
Fulham 0-0 Spurs
Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
Man City 1-1 Everton
QPR 1-1 Aston Villa
West Brom 0-0 Stoke
3.55pmClick here to read Sports Mole's half-time report for this match.
3.53pmBefore I give you the half-time scores from around the country, could I be so bold as to request just a few minutes of your time? We're constantly aiming to provide our readers with a better service, and you can help us to do so by suggesting what changes you would like to see on the site. Clicking here and filling out our survey will only take a few moments and we'd be eternally grateful. Thank you.
3.50pmSwansea have been the better side and more or less dominated the opening 25 minutes, but Arsenal have slowly got to grips with their opponents. But a vast improvement is still needed if they are going to take three points here.
3.48pmWell it remains goalless, although in reality someone should be leading. Swansea have had two great chances, falling to Ashley Williams and Angel Rangel, while Gervinho wasted Arsenal's best opportunity on the stroke of half time.
HALF TIMEArsenal 0-0 Swansea
45 minsCHANCE! Gibbs picks out Gervinho inside the area but the Ivorian squanders his opportunity!
37 minsDe Guzman takes it! Szczesny sees it over, but it grazed the top of the net. The Pole did not look worried, however.
36 minsMichu is felled by Arteta on the edge of the box. Dangerous area, and Ki stands over it...
35 minsWalcott forays down the right and puts a low cross into the box that Podolski can't quite gather. Game well and truly on now after a slow start from the Gunners.
30 minsCHANCE! Michu sets Dyer clear and the winger shows the Arsenal defenders a clean set of heel as he races towards goal from the halfway line. He bears down on Szczesny but Vermaelen makes a last-ditch block as he's about to pull the trigger!
28 minsJenkinson picks out Cazorla with a cross but the Spaniard heads straight at Tremmel.
27 minsCazorla feeds Podolski, who has his back to goal inside the area. He tries to turn and shoot but his effort is blocked. Arsenal have stepped it up now... finally.
25 minsFirst sniff at goal for Arsenal! Jenkinson is strong in the tackle with Davies and whips a ball in from the right, but Podolski can't quite make contact.
23 minsAll of Arsenal's possession is coming in safe areas for Swansea. They are lacking a spark. Swansea look like the home team, they're bossing the game at the moment.
18 minsIt's been a great start by Swansea. Arsenal just haven't woken up yet.
14 minsSAVE! Szczesny makes a superb double save from Angel Rangel! The Arsenal defence stood static as the ball was whipped across the box. Swansea should be leading!
8 minsJenkinson comes inside from the right and tries a shot with his left, but it troubles the corner flag more than it does Tremmel.
5 minsCHANCE! Williams is presented the first opportunity as the ball pinged around the Arsenal area. It was a long free kick slung into the box that caused a moment of panic for the Gunners defence and the Welshman tried to hit a half volley on the turn, but didn't catch it right.
4 minsMichu nearly sets Chechter clear but Vermaelen makes a great recovering tackle.
KICKOFFArsenal get this game underway...
2.58pmThe teams are making their way out.
2.52pmAs usual, Sports Mole is all over the top games in the Premier League today. We also have coverage of Manchester City vs. Everton; Liverpool vs. Southampton and Fulham vs. Spurs
2.48pmClick here for a more comprehensive look at today's teams.
2.46pmThere has already been one game played in the Premier League today, and it was at Upton Park. West Ham managed to overturn a 1-0 half-time deficit to emerge 3-1 winners over Chelsea. Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga scored the goals that have given the Irons a famous win, and heaped more misery on Rafa Benitez's men.
2.43pmMichael Laudrup has handed a first start to 25-year-old Israeli Itay Shechter. He starts up front, supported by Michu and De Guzman playing just behind. There's no Pablo Hernandez, who is missing with a thigh injury.
2.36pmNo Olivier Giroud in the starting lineup for Arsenal. Lukas Podolski and Gervinho are preferred, while Bacary Sagna also misses out having failed a late fitness test. Carl Jenkinson and Kieron Gibbs will flank Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen. Theo Walcott has passed his fitness test to be named in the starting XI.
SWANSEA:Tremmel, Rangel, Davies, Williams, Chico, Ki, Michu, Dyer, De Guzman, Britton, Shechter
ARSENAL:Szczesny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Arteta, Podolski, Gervinho
2.29pmAnyway, let's have some team news...
2.28pmArsenal triumphed in this fixture last season thanks to a lucky strike from Andrey Arshavin, but the Swans avenged that by winning 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Liberty Stadium.
2.25pmToday also sees the return of referee Mark Clattenburg. It's the first game he has taken charge of since being accused of racially abusing Chelsea's John Obi Mikel. After investigation, the FA found that the 37-year-old had no case to answer.
2.22pmMeanwhile, the Swans are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since going nine games without losing back in 1982. It was during that run when they last beat Arsenal away from home, although they have spent a considerable amount of time outside the top flight between then.
2.19pmThe Gunners have been having a few problems on their own patch of late, having won only three of their last nine league matches at the Emirates. They have also recorded their lowest points tally (21) at this stage of the season under the leadership of Arsene Wenger. And they have drawn their last two games, so a win is an absolute must today...
2.11pmGood afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole for live Premier League coverage, which today takes us to the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal's clash with Swansea City.
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