Audio By Carbonatix
Mathieu Flamini's 90th-minute own goal denied Arsenal a comeback win over Swansea as Arsene Wenger's week of misery continued.
After their mauling at Chelsea on Saturday, the hosts started poorly and went behind to Wilfried Bony's header.
But two goals in 66 seconds changed the mood as Lukas Podolski poked in and Olivier Giroud scored from close range.
The doom returned when the ball ricocheted in off Flamini following Leon Britton's surge into the box.
It was a calamitous way to concede as Per Mertesacker intercepted the ball but it bounced off goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny before hitting the French midfielder.
Swansea came away with a point but they were left angry at the end when they were denied a chance to win the game as referee Lee Probert blew up with Jonathan De Guzman bearing down on goal.
Once that frustration had subsided, Garry Monk's team will look back on a well-earned point as they increased the gap to the relegation zone to six points.
Wenger, on the other hand, will wonder what forces are conspiring against him after his side threw away the chance to recover from their nightmare at Stamford Bridge.
After the 6-0 trouncing, questions were understandably raised about Arsenal's title credentials but had they hung on to their lead at Emirates Stadium, they would have been four points behind Jose Mourinho's Premier League leaders.
Instead, they trail Chelsea by six and their Champions League qualification now looks under threat as Everton's win at Newcastle means they are six points in arrears with a game in hand.
Wenger's side must hope that they do not suffer similarly when they host Manchester City on Saturday, with Manuel Pellegrini's side earning a confidence-boosting win at Old Trafford.
Coincidentally, Flamini was included in the side to offer more midfield assurance after the woeful display in west London.
But after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had tested Michel Vorm, the Gunners went behind.
Visiting left-back Neil Taylor was allowed time and space to advance deep into the Arsenal half and he picked out Bony, who still had work to do as he planted his firm header past Szczesny for his 20th goal of the season.
Monk's team could have doubled their lead had Michu, making his first start since 15 December, not opted for the wrong decision after a swift counter attack.
Arsenal did offer their fans some hope, but although they took control in midfield, Swansea were ably led at the back by Ashley Williams although Bony and Jonjo Shelvey were guilty of kicks on Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla respectively.
The Gunners were greeted by a smattering of boos at half-time and frustration grew inside the Emirates as the hosts tried to be too intricate on the edge of the Swansea box.
The relief that met Podolski's goal, as the German volleyed in from Gibbs's cross, soon to turned to joy. Within two minutes, Podolski advanced down the left and crossed for the on-rushing Giroud.
But then just as the Gunners thought they might get some closure, their latest misfortune struck.
- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/sports/football/20141-arsenal-frustrated-by-swansea.html#sthash.q5nTju4K.dpuf
Latest Stories
-
Ghanaian delegation set for January 20, 2026 trip to Latvia in Nana Agyei case – Ablakwa
51 minutes -
Accra turns white as Dîner en Blanc delivers night of elegance and culture
3 hours -
War-torn Myanmar voting in widely criticised ‘sham’ election
5 hours -
Justice by guesswork is dangerous – Constitution Review Chair calls for data-driven court reforms
5 hours -
Justice delayed is justice denied, the system is failing litigants – Constitution Review Chair
5 hours -
Reform without data is a gamble – Constitution Review Chair warns against rushing Supreme Court changes
6 hours -
Rich and voiceless: How Putin has kept Russia’s billionaires on side in the war against Ukraine
6 hours -
Cruise ship hits reef on first trip since leaving passenger on island
6 hours -
UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy
7 hours -
Attack on Kyiv shows ‘Russia doesn’t want peace’, Zelensky says
7 hours -
Two dead in 50-vehicle pile up on Japan highway
7 hours -
Fearing deportation, Hondurans in the US send more cash home than ever before
7 hours -
New York blanketed in snow, sparking travel chaos
7 hours -
Creative Canvas 2025: Documenting Ghana’s creative year beyond the noise
11 hours -
We would have lost that game last season – Guardiola
11 hours
