Walcott and Van Persie goals not enough as Gunners suffer defeat

Arsenal suffered their second League defeat in a row as they lost 3-2 to Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon. An early goal from Van Persie, his 22nd of the season and a Walcott goal was not enough as the Welsh side fought back to take all three points. Thierry Henry once again came off the bench but didn't have many opportunities to have an effect on the game. Gervinho and Chamakh missed out as they flew out to represent their countries at the African Cup of Nations. Miquel and Benayoun came in for the injured Arteta and Coquelin.

Walcott's first goal since October wasn't enough as Arsenal lost to Swansea

Within the first five minutes Arsenal took the lead. Andrey Arshavin picked up the ball in midfield before playing Van Persie through on goal who then from a tight angle put the ball past Vorm for his 18th league goal of the season.

10 minutes later Swansea equalised through a controversial penalty decision. The ball was played into Dyer who looked to have been brought down by Ramsey. However Dyer only stepped on Ramsey's leg which was enough to bring him down and the referee gave a penalty. Sinclair managed to easily convert the penalty despite Szczesny diving the right way.

Van Persie then had a great opportunity to put Arsenal ahead as he found himself clean through on goal but Vorm came out and stopped the shot.

Nathan Dyer managed to create the home sides next chance as he cut inside and then drove a shot which was comfortably kept out by Szczesny.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first good chance of the second half fell to Walcott who raced clear of the Swansea defence before hitting a shot which cleared Vorm in the Swansea goal and went over the bar.

Joe Allen then opened up some space to shoot in, as he ran at the defence before driving a shot wide of Szczesny's goal.

Swansea were having the majority of the play and their hardwork then paid off as the Swans took the lead. Ramsey was dispossessed by Allen who then found Dyer who smashed the ball past Szczesny and into the back of the net.

12 minutes later Arsenal were level. Djourou played the ball through to Walcott who had the pace to race into the penalty area and then dink the ball over Vorm to put the Gunners back into the game.

However, less than a minute later Swansea restored their lead. The ball was played over the top and into the path of Danny Graham who got past Koscielny before firing the ball into the back of the net.

Thierry Henry then almost marked his return to Premier League football with a goal as Van Persie swung in the ball onto the head of Henry whose deflected header looped over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Mertesacker was presented with a great opportunity to equalise as the ball fell to him, 6 yards from goal, but completely missed the target.

Thomas Rosicky then forced a save out of Vorm as he ran at the defence before unleashing a shot from just outside the area which Vorm could only parm away.

The final score finished Swansea 3-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Caulker, Taylor, Agustien(46), Britton, Allen, Sinclair, Dyer(82), Graham(90).
Subs: Tremmel, Monk, Sigurdsson(46), Richards, Routledge(82), Lita(90), Moore.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker(76), Koscielny, Miquel, Song, Ramsey, Benayoun(63), Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin(63).
Subs: Almunia, Yennaris, Squillaci, Rosicky(63), Oxlade-Chamberlain(76), Henry(63), Park.

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 20,409