Mesut Ozil scored on his birthday as Bob Bradley's first match in English football ended in defeat
Arsenal gave Bob Bradley a brutal welcome to the Premier League.
Theo Walcott scored twice in the first half as he pounced on mistakes by Jordi Amat and Jack Cork to fire Arsenal into a comfortable lead.
But former USA coach Bradley, in charge of his first game since taking charge atSwansea, must have thought his team were back in it after an awful mistake by Granit Xhaka presented Gylfi Sigurdsson with a chance which he finished brilliantly after 38 minutes.
Arsenal looked a little nervous until Mesut Ozil restored their two goal lead with a brilliant goal after 57 minutes as he volleyed home Alexis Sanchez’s cross.
But Arsenal pressed the self destruct button when first substitute Gonzalez Borja Boston scored from Modou Barrow’s cross to put Swansea right back in it after 66 minutes.
Then Xhaka’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he was sent off in the 70th minute for a cynical foul on Barrow to leave Arsenal clinging on with ten men.
1. Swansea are Arsenal’s bogey team
Swansea have taken seven points from their three previous visits to the Emirates.
Maybe that explains the nerves and worry every time Swansea dragged themselves back into the contest.
Swansea refused to buckle and they always haunt Arsenal.
2. Granit Xhaka needs to learn some discipline
This was an awful day for Arsenal’s £34million midfielder.
First his mistake - being caught on the ball - gifted Swansea a goal thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson’s brilliant finish.
Then Xhaka’s rash challenge on Modou Barrow saw him sent off.
Despite being Swiss captain, Xhaka needs to calm down and learn where to play and when to clear.
3. Wenger will never find a cure to the Arsenal virus
Arsene Wenger said at his press conference that negativity spreads through fans like a virus.
Wenger said: ”I must say that the negativity comes very quickly," said the Frenchman, 66. "It is a virus that travels very quickly and goes away very slowly.”
Sure enough, even when Swansea made it 2-1, the Arsenal fans got nervous. When it went to 3-2 and Granit Xhaka was sent off, it almost became unbeatable.
Only when Arsenal were clinging on did some fans rally again but the negativity among some supporters
4. Theo Walcott not the same man we saw for England
Walcott had two disappointing games for England and yet had scored twice within the opening 33 minutes for Arsenal. That obviously begs the question… Why can’t he do that for England?
It is utterly bizarre but surely raises more questions about England than the player. Why can’t England get the best out of a player in good form? Why does England seem to be such a burden?
Either way, Walcott perhaps provides a fascinating snapshot as to what is wrong with England. They can do it for their clubs but not for their country. Maybe that’s a fault with England rather than the players.
5. Welcome to English football, Bob Bradley
The great thing about Swansea was that they refused to buckle during times when Arsenal were so on top.
Bradley’s team stayed strong, kept fighting and even though they lack some quality they are clearly up for the fight.
Maybe Bradley can be a good appointment for Swansea.
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