Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Campbell, Alexis, Giroud
Subs: Macey, Debuchy, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Flamini, Iwobi
—
Second half goals from Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell gave Arsenal a 3-0 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.
After the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, there were returns for the usual suspects with Joel Campbell handed his first ever Premier League start.
The game began slowly with both sides trading possession, but the Gunners had the first effort in the 8th minute. Campbell crossed from the right, Olivier Giroud held off the defender, and Nacho Monreal from a good position smacked it wide when he should have hit the target.
The home side had enough of the ball, but the next chance fell to the Arsenal. A 16th minute Giroud flick saw the ball come for Campbell, perfectly set up for a left-footer but he curled his shot just wide.
Swansea spurned an incredible chance to go ahead in the 21st minute when Gomis beat the offside trap go clean through. Petr Cech came out to narrow the angle, the striker delayed his shot, and the pace of Hector Bellerin got back to make a tackle in the box to prevent the goal.
The Frenchman looked to make up for it, heading at goal from a Montero cross after Bellerin had been exposed, but Cech made a routine save. At the other end Giroud should have broken the deadlock. Alexis played a pass into him in the box, he took it first time but curled it over the bar.
Jonjo Shelvey headed over after a Sigurdsson free kick had been blocked by the wall, Campbell forced Fabianski into a save, and there was some late worry in the half when Giroud took a bang on the knee, requiring some treatment but after consultation with Colin Lewin he carried on and the teams went in level.
There were no half-time changes from either side, and the man who had missed a glorious chance in the first period put Arsenal ahead. After a sequence of corners, Giroud hid behind Mertesacker, the ball came in, he found himself free and he guided his header from Ozil’s delivery just inside the post. 1-0.
Mesut Özil has the best games per assist rate in Premier League history – one every 2.64 games now.
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) October 31, 2015
The Swansea response was to get up the other end and cause havoc in our area. Twice Cech was important, blocking from Ayew and making a fine stop from Sigurdsson. The keeper then had to be strong from the subsequent corner, before the unusually quiet Alexis curled a shot high and wide.
Campbell almost found Giroud with a cross from the left hand side, Koscielny had to defend well from a series of crosses, and another corner provided a great chance for Alexis to double the lead. After the ball fell invitingly for him at the back post, he nodded over the bar as Fabianski scrambled across.
The second goal did arrive moments later though. A strange Alexis free kick on the edge of the box was cleared, the ball came back in, Fabianksi jumped to catch it, dropped it, Koscielny was there to turn and put it into an empty net. The home side were furious suggesting the keeper had been fouled, but replays showed it was Fabianski doing a Fabianski. 2-0.
It got even better 5 minutes later. Nice Arsenal play down the left, with lots of link passing, saw Ozil get into the box. The German pulled a cross back and it ended up with Campbell at the back post. He took a touch and finished into the far corner for a goal on his first ever Premier League start for the club. 3-0.
The Costa Rican’s confidence was up, shooting just over after a break from a Swansea corner, before he and Olivier Giroud were replaced by Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs. Fabianski saved from Ozil and Alexis before the former was replaced by Alex Iwobi who, like Campbell, made his Premier League debut.
He only got a few seconds though, as the final whistle went shortly afterwards and the Gunners took three points and a clean sheet back to North London.
Get in there Joel!
I was thinking he was having a decent game.
And then he scored.
Yeah Joel took hos chance, well played, Özil is a magician. Giroud just cant stop scoring, keep it up lads. Delighted!!
Ozil. What a genius. I’m so glad he’s finally coming good on a consistent basis. Alexis looks somewhat knackered,tho.
Did he get one or two assists today? Not sure if they’ll count it as an assist for the Campbell goal, but it should be, no?
who scored.com is counting it, two assists on the day it is
It’s three assists for me. That ball from Mesut for the second goal. #peach #vodka
It counts, assists don’t have to be intentional I don’t think.
Hector Bellerin…what a game again !
The goal saving,body on the line save to prevent an offside goal! Told so much when we were already winning
Take a bow son, this kid is going places…STAY FOREVER!
I thought today was a good game for Bellerin to be involved in. First off, I think he’s brilliant and I’m a massive fan of his, but in that first half he had a bit of a tough time of it against Montero. More than made up for it though with that brilliant challenge on Gomis and (even though it was offside) the block on Ayew’s shot. Can’t wait to see how he progresses with us, I reckon he’s destined for the top.
He’s always had a lovely left foot, as Tim Vickery pointed out when we bought him. He’s a bit of a risk, he thought, no way of guessing how he’ll develop, but one of the most exciting risks in South and Central America. Can’t say better than that.
I’d add that he may not have as much potential as Ox – it’s impossible to say as he’s had a much less privileged early career in terms of coaching and chances – but at the moment he’s a much safer option. He defends and he doesn’t give the ball away in dangerous places.
Reminds me of Ramires in the way he plays.
He’s nothing like Ramires, he’s not a cunt.
Traits of a Champion. Not the best we have served up but clean shit 3 goals 3 points. I will have some of that.
I do love a clean shit. It’s rare though.
Christopher Wreh, Sylvain Wiltord…
…Joel Campbell
Could he be our squaddie this time?
What a second half performance. We’ll need that and then some to get three points in the midweek, let’s hope we can do it again.
We also happen to have the best defence in the league currently, along with the mancs (and that other lot which shall remain unnamed). Wenger teams will always score goals, but the defending is bringing me great joy this year.
Get in! Controlled mature performance, especially in the 2nd half. Good on Joel!
Campbell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back. On. Track.
Get in!
Campbell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oooooppsss! Guess i was to late! Nice composed game!
Too bad shitty got a penalty at the end. Refs always saving them.
To be fair it was definitely a pen, but they sure as fuck got lucky with Ruddy’s cock-up that caused it ?
Great defensively with an end product hmm watch out chamberlain.
Rambo could take a note on composure in the box as well.
Ozil with a worldy 2nd half.
Kept Jonjo Shelvey on a leash as he turned that bald head numerous times everywhere on the pitch.
the defense held this game together.. didn’t even allow the offside or foul balls in. 9.9/10 for Cech
Well done, boys. Excellent job by all the goal scorers and especially well taken by Campbell to get on the sheet. I have to say my heart was in my mouth when the HFB went down, clutching his knee. Exhale.
Lastly, another excellent post match interview with the Mou. What a cunt.
Not just HFB.. My heart skipped a beat everytime an Arsenal player went down. Bellerin too took a knock with his clearance of the line. Fingers crossed nobody gets any niggles or injuries now. With just Iwobi as the attacking option on the bench, we are stretched thin at the front.
A knock? The way he hit the post could easily have bust a rib.!
ozil is on drugs….. that’s the only explanation……. Oh wait…. he’s that good……holy crap!
Encouraging to see such a good result from what was, at times, a pretty sloppy and unenergetic performance. Great to see Campbell put a shift in and really glad to see him nick that much needed goal. Also Ozil has been absolutely on fire – involved in all three goals today, albeit Fabianski fluffing one of the crosses led to Koscielny’s goal. Really pulled it together in the end and a clean sheet to boot.
No matter what anyone says, Joel was superb today. Some of the defensive interceptions were spot on and he often bailed the defence in first half. Offensively, he wasn’t bad either. I feel more comfortable with his defensive work on the right as compared to Ox. He can only get better from here and improve his offensive side if the game.
And his work rate was world class.
Ozil crosses the ball and.. JOOOOEL (Campbell).
That was planned, well done Arsenal excellent performance COYG!
Very very happy for Campbel
First things first, ha ha ha ha ha ha Maureen and the thundercunts! Well done Joel show all the doubters what you are made of.Loved how Ozil made two Swansea players collide,gif anyone?
That was fucking brilliant, I laughed hard when I saw that. Basically Williams and some other guy went to challenge Özil together, he justs flicks the ball and runs past them making them collide and one of them goes down injured. Extraordinary!
Lets all take a moment to enjoy this win. And laugh at Chelsea and maureenhoe. The man cannot even look at a camera anymore. Specialist in failure he is hahahahaha FUCK YOU MOURINHO hahahaha
Specialist in silence
Mesut fucking Özil. Hector fucking Bellerin.
Well in to big JC on the first goal, and shout out to Fabianski – Once a gooner, always a gooner ;). Loved our attitude in still trying to push on even at 3-0.
Fuck John Ruddy. Jim out x
Thought Campbell had a great game, both offensively and defensively. I am a little bit concerned about Alexis though, not sure if he’s carrying an injury or its just a loss of form, but at times he was just careless and gave away balls too easily at some key areas.
Anyway a clean sheet and a +3 goal difference, can’t complain too much!
I was really confident when gomis was 1 v 1 with Cech.The guy is calm as fuck. There are mad goal keepers and then there is Petr Cech.Massive contribution.
Say what you want about us at set pieces, but that first goal was as good as anything g you’ll see.
Straight off the training ground.
That shirt-tug on Mertesacker by Giroud had to be rehearsed, and it worked a treat – took two defenders right out of the play!
One potential banana peel out of the way. Happy for Joel Campbel: will do his confidence a world of good.
Mehut-fucking-Ozil!
Exceptionally pleased for Campbell. Excellent defensively and had product going forward, and his celebration proved how much this means to him. He proved he has the minerals to play in this system.
I am happy that we won! I love the way how mou is fucking up Chelsea..and getting fucked up by himself! I love the way how LVG is destroying United’s identity!!! Can’t be happier!
I hope I wake up to the news that the Special one has made a special exit! Getting fired by the same club twice!! That’s special!
Yea.. We see you love to assist oziii…keep doing it..!
Giroud looking like Popeye. “I am what I am” COYG!!
Even with lot of injuries, we win. Change has come. Eager to say, champions at last, in may.
Loved the ‘tying my drawstrings’ celebration by Joel!
We’re 16 points above the chavs! Ha,ha.
14.
But still great!
14 points
Wait for next week. ?
It will be 17 then.
Bellerin was immense today. That 1st half clearance, wow!And the 2nd one when the flag was up. What a player he is! Mesut Ozil was tremendous; amazing footballer. Games like that are the stuff of champions. COYG!
I am so happy for Joel “good job you didn’t get out while you could” Campbell! Wank first half, bloody brilliant second half. Happy Gooner today!
Ya Gunners ya!
Will Joel get his inner Coq out on a regular basis?
Maureen – “I have nothing to say”
Well, I’m happy to admit I was completely wrong about JC.
Monreal 2 players away from doing a Maradona vs England at the end there
“Stay in while you can, Joel!”
I am starting to believe. COYG!
Get out while you can Joel.
Get in while you can Joel.
Special one(really?) Vs. Normal One
Result: three- one lol
I’d say “Special one” is the other meaning of special in this case. He certainly is “special” at the moment 😉
Get in!!! Now can we take a minute to laugh at Chelsea? 😀
Thats awesome. That’s why i love Arsenal. Ozil top, Bellerin top, Cech fantastic, Campell made me cry. Good fighting spirit.
Campbell is more than good enough to be a squad player. Sometimes the blog writer here gets a bee in a bonnet about certain players, Joel never deserved that level of doubt.
The doubt was always about his position at the club – when the manager makes him 7th choice for the right hand side, it says something.
But since Coquelin I’ve never said never. Delighted to see him score today and play so well, he really deserved that goal for the hard work he put in.
Blatant foul from Mertesacker on Giroud before he scored. Jokes aside, great second half. Mesut Özil in particular was outstanding. Delighted for Campbell, hope he can build on that.
I’m sure that was straight off the training ground.
Joel Campbell workrate is going to be very important for us against Bayern. Has a great left foot and with more confidence can play upfront as well. Ozil is the best number 10 in the league. End of story. Don’t care if he’s the “laziest” player alive, no other midfielder in this league makes better decisions on the ball and is as intelligent as Mesut fucking Ozil. Bellerin is a beast. 2 superb clearances on the line. First game in ages since Monreal has just been Decent. Cech is simply awesome and has brought calmness to our backline. Now lets… Read more »
kolscieny to fabianski(shaking his head) : “Lucas, you never listen, you see why I always told you to punch out the ball first!
Chim chimney chim chimney chim chim chiroo
Who needs a new striker when we’ve got Giroud?
I got two words for ya – Joel Campbell