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.