Swansea v Arsenal | Matches

Southampton V
Arsenal
1ST JAN 2013

Sunday 6th January
Kick off: 13:30
Liberty Stadium

Swansea
2 – 2
Arsenal

Arsenal V
Manchester City
13TH JAN 2013

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH

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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

90

REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Richard Fleming and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK)
Full Time FULL TIME: Swansea 2-2 Arsenal
90

WELL CLAIMED: Vorm plucks Walcott's cross out of the air
90

END-TO-END STUFF: Both sides are pouring men forward in an attempt to win the game
90

CHANCE FOR SWANSEA: Graham tees up Tiendalli, but his cross is poor and goes into the side-netting
90

FIVE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME: Can either side nick it?
90

SO CLOSE: Vorm parries Koscielny's header away, and the Frenchman can only volley the rebound over
88

IT'S IN THE NET, BUT IT WON'T COUNT: Walcott clips past Vorm but the referee had already blown for an earlier foul
87

EMPHATIC FINISH: The ball was not properly cleared from a corner and Graham blasted home from a tight angle
87

GOAL! - Danny Graham 2 : 2 GOAL FOR SWANSEA: They've leveled it up and it's Danny Graham
86

PRESSURE FROM THE HOSTS: Ki's shot is parried away by Szczesny before Dyer's effort is deflected over
84

Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: A number of the Arsenal team jumped into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. Gibbs is cautioned
83

WHAT A FINISH BY GIBBS: He played a neat one-two with Giroud before lashing a volley into the roof of the net. Brilliant, brilliant goal
Top Comments:
- @fergyjay5 on Twitter says:
  
  Yipppeeeeeee. What a goal by Gibbs, England's future left back! Always been a staunch supporter of his talents...
83

GOAL! - Kieran Gibbs 1 : 2 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: THAT IS SUBLIME!
81

IT WAS A GREAT FINISH: The German swiveled and fired home after Sagna and Koscielny had worked the opportunity
81

GOAL! - Lukas Podolski 1 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL! It's there and it's Podolski!
Top Comments:
- @FourFourTom on Twitter says:
  
  It's a day for super subs. Michu comes on and scores after one minute, Podolski comes on and equalises after eight.
80

IT COMES TO NOTHING: The Swansea wall do their job and clear
79

Yellow Card CAUTION: Bartley hurls himself into a challenge with former taem-mate Wilshere and is shown a yellow card. Arsenal have a free-kick in a promising position...
78

SAVED BY THE FLAG: After a goalmouth scramble, Podolski can only place his shot wide from close-range. The effort would not have counted though, as the forward was offside
77

MORE PRESSURE: Gibbs and Podolski link up down the left but Bartley, who has had a decent game, blocks the eventual cross
76

JUST UNDER 15 MINUTES TO GO: Arsenal are knocking on the door but can they break through?
74

GREAT OPPORTUNITY: Davies can't control and the ball breaks to Walcott inside the area but he drags his shot wide
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal are creating chances now. There is plenty to be excited about in the second half and you do sense there is a goal here for Arsenal if they keep what they are doing
73

SAGNA IN A DANGEROUS POSITION: He cuts back inside Davies but can't find a purple shirt with his cross
73

Substitution HERE COMES PODOLSKI: Wenger makes his first change as the German international enters the fray for Ramsey
72

LET US KNOW YOUR VIEWS: #SCFCvAFC is the hashtag on Twitter
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal have been playing better in the second half. They are opening up Swansea more than they did before the break. They were just hit by a sucker-punch. Swansea has only had the ball in the Arsenal end twice.
69

Substitution SWANSEA MAKE THEIR FINAL CHANGE: Britton is withdrawn and Agustien comes on in his place
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Sort of surprised that we haven't seen an Arsenal substitution yet. We only have about 21 minutes left.
68

PLENTY OF POSSESSION: Arsenal have seen a lot of the ball in this half, but just can't quite make that breakthrough
67

FINAL BALL: Koscielny links up with Cazorla, whose cross is bravely headed away by Flores
65

CHANCE: Ramsey's searching cross is met by the head of Giroud, who nods wide. He might have done better
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Lovely ball in. That was meat and drink to a player of Giroud's calibre. He should have done better and he knows it
64

ARTETA IS ROBBED: Michu nicks the ball 30 yards from goal, but Arsenal's defence regroup well and snuff out the opportunity
Top Comments:
- @Lima_Jons on Twitter says:
  
  We need to make some substitutions. Rosicky or Podolski need to come on while there is still time.
62

ARSENAL COUNTER: Gibbs races onto Wilshere's pass but is denied by Tiendalli's intervention
62

HIGH BOOT: Sagna catches Davies in the face just outside the area. The free-kick is well cleared through
60

NICE FOOTBALL: A free-flowing move by the home side ends with the offside flag being raised as Tiendalli looked to free Dyer
59

GIROUD IS BACK ON: The striker looks to be okay to continue. Can he help to bring Arsenal back into the game?
Top Comments:
- @Bradyesque7 on Twitter says:
  
  The timing of Giroud's knock was huge. We were building something, he gets hurt, they bring in Michu and it all goes mental.
58

MICHU CAN'T STOP SCORING: He touches the ball over Mertesacker's head before racing onto it, holding off Koscielny and Sagna, and clinically slotting past Szczesny
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Just when you felt Arsenal were getting on top, just when you thought the Welsh side was starting to creak, they have taken the lead.
58

GOAL! - Miguel Michu 1 : 0 GOAL FOR SWANSEA! What an impact
56

Substitution HERE COMES MICHU: The Swansea top scorer is on to rapturous applause from the home fans. He replaces de Guzman
56

Substitution SUBSTITUTION: It's Swansea who shuffle their pack first, bringing on Pablo Hernandez for Routledge
56

GIROUD IS DOWN: The Frenchman looked to take a knock when volleying goalwards. He goes off for treatment
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  This is a big worry for Arsenal. He's their main centre forward and got right into the game in the start of the second half.
54

GIROUD AGAIN: He meets Gibbs' cross on the volley, but Vorm is equal to the shot once more, tipping it away
Top Comments:
- @DazzaD73 on Twitter says:
  
  Looks like a matter of time before Giroud opens the scoring for Arsenal
52

GREAT BLOCK: Giroud is only denied by Bartley's fine last-ditch tackle. It's been a good start to the second half by Arsenal
52

IS THAT A PENALTY? Ramsey goes down in the area after tangling with Tiendalli. Webb waves play on to the Welshman's dismay
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Ramsey was definitely clipped. It looked more like a crossing of legs rather than a malicious challenge. But it's not about intent.
51

PARRIED AWAY: Giroud has started the second half well, and after being found by Walcott, unleashes a powerful drive which Vorm parries away
50

EXCELLENT CONTROL: Giroud brings the ball down beautifull in the Swansea area, before finding Ramsey, who is crowded out as he prepared to shoot
48

GIROUD SHOOTS WIDE: Walcott cushions a header into the striker's path, but his left-footed effort from just outside the box goes well off target
46

IT'S AS YOU WERE: Neither side have made any changes at the break, though a couple of the Swansea substitutes, including 14-goal Michu, are warming up on the sidelines
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal Wenger has three attack-minded players warming up: Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski
Kick Off HERE WE GO: Swansea get the second half started
Top Comments:
- @George_Arsenal_ on Twitter says:
  
  Needs an early second half goal to get this game up and running!
46

THE TEAMS ARE BACK OUT: The second half is just moments away here in South Wales
Half Time HALF-TIME: Swansea 0-0 Arsenal
Top Comments:
- Martin Hayes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  We don't look like we are going to win at the moment, but we don't look like we are going to lose. Arsenal should be the happier team at the break.
45

HALF-TIME APPROACHING: What have you made of the game so far? E-mail Dan and Chris at www.arsenal.com/studio or tweet #SCFCvAFC
Top Comments:
- @bcs_bcsn on Twitter says:
  
  Opening 45 min, both teams cancelling each other out but arsenal struggling to impose themselves
44

SANTI HAS A GO: Vorm is equal to his daisy-cutter from 20 yards though
43

THE RIGHT STUFF: Sagna charges down the right and exchanges passes with Walcott, before seeing his cross cleared
39

WAS THAT A FOUL? Arsenal momentarily have a chance of countering before Giroud tumbles under Routledge's challenge. Howard Webb waves play on to the annoyance of the Frenchman
38

PRESSURE: Tiendalli's cross is hacked to safety, before Davies' centre from the opposite flank is nodded away by Gibbs
36

OFF THE BAR: Bartley gets up to meet De Guzman's free-kick, and is unlucky to see his header flick the crossbar on its way over
Top Comments:
- @ndabrams on Twitter says:
  
  Silly free kicks have cost us a lot in the past. We only just got away with that one
35

Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Ramsey hauls back Tiendalli and the ex-Cardiff man receives the game's first caution, to the enjoyment of the Swansea fans
35

CHANCE: Gibbs gets to the byline before laying the ball off to Cazorla, who shoots over. That was a real opportunity for Arsenal
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  He just gets under the ball too much. For a man as talented as Santi Cazorla, he should be hitting the target with those.
33

GOOD SPELL FOR SWANSEA: Dyer retrieves Davies' deep cross but sees his shot from the edge of the box blocked. The way the hosts have maneuvered the ball has been impressive
30

THAT'S MORE LIKE IT: Gibbs and Walcott link up to free Ramsey in the area. He cuts back and is dispossessed just before he can get a shot away
Top Comments:
- @lumpsmrp on Twitter says:
  
  We've got goals in us today, just lacking that spark
28

#SCFCvAFC: Let us know your thoughts on the game and we'll publish some of your views right here
25

ALMOST INCH-PERFECT: Arteta launches a fine cross-field pass that is nearly met by Ramsey, whose find run had set him clear of the Swansea defence
Top Comments:
- @ArseOnline on Twitter says:
  
  Wilshere and Arteta seem to be getting forward a lot. Watching on TV I'm unable to tell whether anyone is covering
25

NEAT PLAY: Some of Swansea's passing so far has been excellent. The latest flowing move comes to a premature end as Koscielny challenges Routledge
23

THE WALL DOES ITS JOB: Walcott's free-kick is blocked away
22

FOUL: Wilshere robs Britton inside the Swansea half before releasing Walcott, who is brought down by Flores just outside the area...
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal suddenly upping the tempo. Theo is running at the defence and that is making a difference
21

SZCZESNY ALERT: Davies' pass nearly sets Graham through on goal, but the Arsenal goalkeeper races from his line to boot clear the danger
20

GOOD BLOCK: Wilshere finds a pocket of space in the area, but sees his goalbound shot blocked by Flores
18

PASS PASS PASS: Unsurprisingly, both teams are trying to get the ball down, spread the play and draw their opponents out
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Possession at the Ems was nearly 50-50. Because it had two late goals people thought it was a smash and grab, but it wasn't really.
16

WELL WIDE: De Guzman lets fly from 25 yards, but he skews his effort yards off target
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Swansea press so hard and win the ball back quickly. It's something Arsenal could really learn from them
15

WELL CLAIMED: Wilshere sends a free-kick into the box from the right but Vorm gets up well to gather the ball
13

GOOD SAVE SZCZESNY: Graham goes through, and after shrugging off Mertesacker, lashes a fierce shot goalwards that Arsenal's No 1 goes well to palm to safety
Top Comments:
- @YoungerHamiiF1F on Twitter says:
  
  Swansea has the first chance of the game, saved by Sir Chesney. Arsenal pressing up the top of the pitch too much.
10

INCISIVE: The hosts look dangerous on the counter. De Guzman releases Tiendalli down the right, but Sagna is alert and clears the Dutchman's cross
7

GET IN TOUCH: Dan Roebuck and Chris Harris are our commentary team today. E-mail them your views via www.arsenal.com/studio
Top Comments:
- @gemmamcmurray on Twitter says:
  
  Listen to those #Arsenal away fans! Brilliant as ever.
5

NICE LINK-UP: Walcott races onto Giroud's flick-on, but Flores is on hand to clear the danger
4

COUNTER: Swansea launch a break but Szczesny does well to grab Routledge's cross in front of the lurking Graham
3

CORNER: Wilshere swings a free-kick into a dangerous area. Swansea clear but at the expense of a corner
2

KEEP BALL: It's a promising start by Wenger's men, who have dominated possession in the early stages
Top Comments:
- Chris Harris on Arsenal Player says:
  
  As it stands it's Swansea who are playing on the counter-attack and Arsenal dominating control of the ball
Kick Off HERE WE GO: Arsenal kick us off and we are underway at the Liberty Stadium
Top Comments:
- @benjalguti on Twitter says:
  
  We should win the match... Remember what they did in Emirates... Gunners @Arsenal We need a victory! 0-2 Giroud and Walcott
FAN-TASTIC SUPPORT: Arsenal have taken 3,300 supporters along the M4 for today's game. They are making plenty of noise
PURPLE: The Gunners are lining up in their change strip of purple and black shirts, black shorts and black socks. Swansea line up in all white
HERE COME THE TEAMS: The Liberty Stadium is filling up nicely and we are just moments away from kick-off
Top Comments:
- Martin Hayes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I do think it will be tough today. I think it will be a 1-1 draw, but we'll win the replay at Emirates Stadium.
OLD FACES: Kyle Bartley, who of course joined Swansea from Arsenal last summer, lines up against his former side today
Top Comments:
- @Gooners247 on Twitter says:
  
  Interesting to see Kyle Bartley. Thought he could have developed into a decent squad player with us. Today will tell us a lot.
GIROUD IS BACK: It's the French striker's first start in almost a month today. Will he mark his return with a goal?
HAVE YOUR SAY: Tell us which team YOU would have picked - use the hashtag #SCFCvAFC on Twitter
SWANSEA SUBS: Tremmel, Monk, Rangel, Agustien, Hernandez, Michu, Shechter
SWANSEA TEAM: Vorm, Tiendalli, Flores, Bartley, Davies, Ki, Britton, de Guzman, Dyer, Routledge, Graham
Top Comments:
- Martin Hayes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I think Michu is going to be a big loss for Swansea. Other people have to come in a fill his shoes, but Swansea have their eyes on the Capital One Cup Semi-Finals. I think the manager has to have that semi final as their focus.
ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Vermaelen, Coquelin, Rosicky, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud.
Top Comments:
- @TokkieMonster on Twitter says:
  
  Loving the starting lineup. Ramsey deserves a chance to prove himself. 3-1 to The Gunners i say.
TEAM NEWS IS IN: So without further ado...
#SCFCvAFC: That's the hashtag to use if you're joining the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
The Matchday show gets underway at 1pm (UK time) with former Gunner Martin Hayes alongside host Richard Fleming. You can contact them via www.arsenal.com/studio
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of our FA Cup tie against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium
Top Comments:
- Martin Hayes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  It's going to be a tough, tough game. Swansea are a formidable team – especially at home. The fans come out for the big games. They will get behind them and they will be vocal.