Monreal and Gervinho goals seal vital win

Many would have expected Arsenal to lose this game judging by their inconsistency this season. However that wasn't the case, as on the back of a win over Bayern, the Gunners put in a confident display to beat Swansea 2-0 at the Liberty. Nacho Monreal grabbed his first goal for the club, whilst Gervinho looked to be on his way back to his early season form as he slotted home late on. It was a very assured performance from the Gunners as the defence was unchanged bar Kieran Gibbs who was replaced by Monreal. Fabianski once more started in goal and he made it 2 games and 2 cleansheets since his return. There were changes to the midfield and attack though as Diaby came in for Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain started ahead of Rosicky.

Nacho Monreal scored a vital first Arsenal goal

 The first chance came inside five minutes as Chamberlain worked his way past a defender before curling a shot against the bar.

Swansea's first chance came from an unfamiliar source as Ki slipped in Angel Rangel but he sent his shot wide of the mark.

Moments later they had another chance as Davies crossed from the left and picked out Michu. However his acrobatic effort was scuffed and bounced wide. 

Michu was proving to be a real handful as he then had a great opportunity to put the Swans ahead. De Guzman managed to pick the Spaniard out but he was again off target as the ball rolled past the far post.

Another Spaniard worked the next goal scoring chance as Giroud layed off Cazorla who then struck the ball brilliantly on the volley but Vorm was equal to it.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was then to hit the bar for the second time in the game as he struck a shot from distance which clipped the top of the frame of the goal and went out.

The score at half time was 0-0. 

Straight from kick off, Abou Diaby surged through the midfield and managed to work a shot off. The ball however, sailed over the cross bar.

Cazorla was back in a more central position for this match, compared to a wider one he'd been playing in in recent weeks. The position change seemed to be working as he looked back to his more creative self as he then hit a shot from outside the box which Vorm saved.

It was no surprise to see yet another Spaniard have the next effort on goal. This time it came through Swansea's Hernandez as he cut inside from the left before lashing the ball wide. 

With just over 15 minutes left to play the deadlock was finally broken and of course, it came through a Spanish player. Cazorla did well to open the space up and then find Giroud who teed up Monreal to fire home for his first in Arsenal colours. 

It was all Arsenal now as they looked for a second and they almost got it as Gervinho cut inside and then smashed a shot which Vorm saved comfortably.

Into injury time and Arsenal did indeed get that second goal. Arsene Wenger had been criticised of his substitutions in recent seasons, however there were no complaints about the two made in this match. Sub Ramsey managed to break away on the right and then find another substitute in Gervinho who rolled the ball underneath Vorm and into the net.

The final score finished Swansea 0-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Ki(66), Dyer(76), Hernandez, Michu. 
Subs: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Bartley, Lamah, Routledge(66), Shechter, Moore(76). 

Arsenal: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Diaby(70), Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain(70), Walcott(85), Giroud. 
Subs: Szczesny, Vermaelen, Gibbs(85), Coquelin, Rosicky, Ramsey(70), Gervinho(70). 

My man of the match: Santi Cazorla

Referee: Jon Moss
Attendance: 20,583.

Arsenal beat Bayern but fail to progress in Europe

Arsenal put in a first class performance on Wednesday night as they managed to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. The win meant the aggregate score finished 3-3. However this was in Bayern's favour as they had scored 3 away from home in the first leg so they progressed to the quarter-finals. There was still plenty to be proud of though as with a far from full strength side they managed to beat a team almost invincible at home, managed to score 2 against a formidable defence for the German side this season, whilst also managing to keep a team with players such as Robben at bay in keeping a clean sheet. There were plenty of changes to the starting XI as Lukasz Fabianski made his first Arsenal appearance for a year whilst Kieran Gibbs returned from injury. Both were very solid, as was Jenkinson at right back and the central defensive partnership of Koscielny and Mertesacker. There was also a place for Rosicky who came in for the injured Jack Wilshere.

Koscielny capped off a MOTM display with a late goal

The first chance of the game came on two minutes and it ended up as a perfect start for Arsenal. Tomas Rosicky fed Walcott down the right who then swung the ball in towards Giroud who was left with a tap in.

Bayern's first attempt on goal came from the boot of Toni Kroos as he drove a shot from distance which resulted in an easy save for Fabianski.

The German side were now starting to find their rhythm but they fired two shots over the bar in quick succession through Gustavo and Martinez.

Arsenal's passing was very sloppy and the ball was then gifted away which resulted in a shot from Kroos on the edge of the area. However, Fabianski was equal to it once more.

The Gunners were living dangerously as Mertesacker cleared the ball straight to Muller who then hit the post from a tight angle.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal on the night and 3-2 to Bayern on aggregate.

The first attempt on goal in the second half came from Robben as he weaved his way towards the box before firing the ball inches wide of the goal.

Toni Kroos was the next player to have a shot on goal. However Fabianski wasn't needed this time though as the ball flew wide.

Arsenal's first attempt of the half saw Giroud chest the ball and then smash an effort from range over the bar.

Bayern were desperately looking for a goal to seal the tie. Gustavo then came the closest as his bending shot curled just wide.

It wasn't as big as the next chance though as Robben played a one-two with Muller before bearing down on goal and then seeing his shot brilliantly saved by Fabianski.

The Gunners were struggling to create many chances but then got one through Gervinho as he turned past Van Buyten before poking the ball wide.

Fabianski was then forced into making another save as Muller turned his man before blasting a shot towards goal which was well kept out.

With 5 minutes left to play Arsenal scored to give themselves hope. Santi Cazorla's corner found Koscielny who headed the ball home to make it 2-0 on the night.

However it wasn't to be as the final score finished Bayern 0-2 Arsenal with the German side going through on away goals rule 3-3.

The teams lineups:

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Gustavo, Muller, Kroos(81), Robben, Mandzukic(73).
Subs: Starke, Rafinha, Contento, Tymoschuk(81), Shaqiri, Pizarro, Gomez(73).

Arsenal: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey(72), Walcott(72), Cazorla, Giroud.
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen, Coquelin, Diaby, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain(72), Gervinho(72). 

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Pavel Kralovec(CZE)
Attendance: 66,000

Arsenal suffer defeat in North London derby

If there was one game Arsenal HAD to win, it was this one. It was a game which would've given us the chance to gloat to our rivals, but most importantly, it would have taken us to within 1 point of Tottenham in the race for Champions League football next season. All this meant that it would be typical of the Gunners to go and lose the match, and indeed that is what they did. Awful defending led to Arsenal's downfall as they slid to a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in which Bale and Lennon scored quite simple goals. Per Mertesacker gave Arsenal fans hope in the second half with an unlikely goal but that was it in terms of goals. Arsene Wenger made one change to the side that had beaten Villa a week ago as Ramsey replaced Diaby in midfield. Carl Jenkinson kept his place at right back due to Sagna's injury whilst Podolski was once again on the bench.

Mertesacker's goal wasn't enough as Arsenal lost to Spurs.

The first chance of the game came on six minutes as Wilshere's corner was met by Giroud but it was straight at Lloris.

Giroud then got another chance as Cazorla played a brilliant ball over the top into him but Vertonghen came across to deny the Frenchman getting a clear strike on the ball.

Arsenal were dominating the early exchanges and Carl Jenkinson was getting plenty of space on the right to get forward and pick out crosses. However, none of them were met with any conviction.

It was Tottenham who took the lead though. The Arsenal defence insisted on playing a high line which meant the ball was able to be slipped through into Bale. He then had plenty of time and space to bury a first time shot beyond Szczesny and into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Spurs scored again. The Gunners didn't learn their lesson from the first time as Parker was able to slip the ball through to Lennon, who rounded Szczesny and found the net.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Spurs.

Five minutes after the break, Arsenal were back in it. Theo Walcott delivered in a free-kick which found the head of Mertesacker, and then found the goal via a deflection.

The Gunners were now pushing for an equaliser and they almost got it via another defender as Nacho Monreal unleashed a shot from distance but it went wide.

It was all Arsenal at the start of the second half and their next chance came through Jenkinson again. He almost picked out Ramsey but Lloris manged to come out and claim the ball.

Spurs then finally managed to create their first chance of the half as Assou-Ekotto found Bale at the back post but he skied his shot from six yards out.

Defoe almost came close to extending Spurs' lead shortly after as Parker found him on the edge of the area but he curled the ball just wide.

Spurs, as they did in the first half, were now starting to create opportunities again. Bale got their next chance as he vollied the ball from outside the box but it was straight at Szczesny.

With ten minutes left to play Arsenal had a great chance to equalise. Rosicky found Ramsey who went in on goal but dragged his shot wide of the target.

Theo Walcott hadn't really had a good enough chance to have an influence on proceedings but he almost scored at the death as his curling free-kick flew wide from distance.

The final score finished Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Dembele(88), Parker, Sigurdsson, Lennon(90), Bale, Adebayor(66).
Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Gallas(90), Livermore(88), Carroll, Holtby, Defoe(66).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson(60), Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Ramsey, Arteta(77), Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud. 
Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Coquelin, Rosicky(60), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski(77).

My man of the match: Carl Jenkinson

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 36,170