Five Things Learnt from Arsenal’s win
Gunners overcome Swansea City at Liberty Stadium
Arsenal proved their title credentials yesterday afternoon with an emphatic 3-0 victory in Wales against Garry Monk’s Swansea City.
It was the first time Arsene Wenger had beaten a Monk side and it was thanks to a dominant second-half display.
Goals from Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell gave the Gunners all three points at the Liberty Stadium and kept them level on points with Manchester City, who beat Norwich City with a late Yaya Toure penalty.
So what did we take from Arsenal‘s 3-0 win?
Here are Five Things learnt.
5) Garry Monk Under Pressure?
You cannot question what Garry Monk has done for Swansea City since taking over from Michael Laudrup, but pressure is finally starting to build on the manager.
Just the one win in seven leaves the Swans 13th in the Premier League table and well out of form.
That one win came against struggling Aston Villa, but apart from that, they’ve lost to Watford, Southampton and Arsenal, as well as drawing to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
You can say games against Saints, Arsenal, Everton and Spurs are tricky fixtures, but with the run of results not being great, pressure could build on the young manager’s shoulders.
4) Do or Die for Joel Campbell
Aaron Ramsey OUT, Theo Walcott OUT, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain OUT, Danny Welbeck OUT.
Ones misfortunes is another man’s gain and it’s now Joel Campbell‘s chance to shine at Arsenal.
Injuries have mounted once again at the Emirates Stadium and it’s time for Campbell to play week-in, week-out.
Arsene Wenger said before the game that it’s do-or-die for Campbell and his first audition was a good one.
Tireless effort and a goal in the 3-0 win over Swansea. It’s a good start for the Costa Rican and he will have the chance to play regularly now in the first-team.
3) Olivier Giroud is SO Underrated
Is this guy world-class? No, but my word he’s underrated and he’s even underrated by his own fans!
Olivier Giroud does a brilliant job and he has done since joining Arsenal. His finishing isn’t always on form, but his hold-up play and his overall contribution to the side is superb.
The Frenchman has the best minutes-per-goal ratio so far this season and has now scored 65 goals in 150 games. Not bad at all.
He’s not Sergio Aguero or Robert Lewandowski, but my word he’s a talent and a valuable member of the Arsenal squad.
2) 2,000 up for Arsene Wenger
2,000 goals under Arsene Wenger for Arsenal.
Not much really needs explaining for this point, it’s just a massive milestone and a congratulations to Arsene Wenger for the brilliant achievement.
Olivier Giroud netted the 2,000th before Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell added the 2,001st and 2,002nd.
1) Arsenal Are Ready
What a time it is for Arsenal Football Club.
They have picked up the most points in the calendar year and they are in red-hot form.
Just two defeats all season and that came from the opening day of the season and unfairly against Chelsea after the referee wrongly sent off Gabriel Paulista.
Questions are always about Arsenal‘s title credentials, but this year, they may finally be showing they are ready to win the Premier League title once again.
The players are on form, they are working for each other and there is a feel-good factor around the club.
Could this be the year?
So there are our Five Things learnt from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Swansea City.
What did you take from the game?
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt