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

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of Arsenal's Premier League encounter with Swansea City.
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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.


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Good 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.

The 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...

Meanwhile, 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.

Today 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.

Arsenal 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.

Anyway, let's have some team news...

Szczesny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Arteta, Podolski, Gervinho

Tremmel, Rangel, Davies, Williams, Chico, Ki, Michu, Dyer, De Guzman, Britton, Shechter

No 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.

Michael 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.

There 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.

Click here for a more comprehensive look at today's teams.

As 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

The teams are making their way out.

Arsenal get this game underway...

Michu nearly sets Chechter clear but Vermaelen makes a great recovering tackle.

CHANCE! 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.

Jenkinson comes inside from the right and tries a shot with his left, but it troubles the corner flag more than it does Tremmel.

SAVE! 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!

It's been a great start by Swansea. Arsenal just haven't woken up yet.

All 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.

First 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.

Cazorla 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.

Jenkinson picks out Cazorla with a cross but the Spaniard heads straight at Tremmel.

CHANCE! 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!

Walcott 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.

Michu is felled by Arteta on the edge of the box. Dangerous area, and Ki stands over it...

De Guzman takes it! Szczesny sees it over, but it grazed the top of the net. The Pole did not look worried, however.

CHANCE! Gibbs picks out Gervinho inside the area but the Ivorian squanders his opportunity!

Arsenal 0-0 Swansea

Well 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.

Swansea 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.

Before 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.

Click here to read Sports Mole's half-time report for this match.

Elsewhere 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

Swansea resume play...

SHOT! Wilshere drifts past two challenges and tees up Cazorla, but Tremmel is comfortable in dealing with the Spaniard's stinging effort.

Gervinho 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.

It 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.

Cazorla 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.

SHOT! 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.

GREAT PLAY BY RANGEL! The Spaniard slalomed his way into the area before unleashing a shot that Szczesny turned around the post.

Swansea 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.

Arsenal put more pressure on the Swansea defence, which holds firm. Michael Laudrup has his side extremely well organised at the back.

Double Arsenal substitution: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud come on to replace Lukas Podolski and Gervinho.

Swansea substitution: Luke Moore replaces Itay Shechter.

CHANCE! 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.

SHOT! 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...

Replays 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!

Swansea substitution: Dwight Tiendalli replaces Jonathan de Guzman.

Don't let the scoreline fool you, it's been quite open at the Emirates.

Arsenal substitution: Tomas Roskicky replaces Jack Wilshere.

It's still anyone's game with eight minutes plus injury time remaining.

BIG 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?

I say latter, I meant former. Just to be clear, it was Tiendalli that should have scored.

CLOSE! 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.

GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Swansea (Michu)

Lovely 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!

... and it was coming.

Three minutes for Arsenal to rescue a point.

GOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Swansea (Michu)

Arsenal 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!

Arsenal 0-2 Swansea

Wow. What a result for the Swans. Much deserved too.

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Written by
Michael Penkman
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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