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Walcott, Ozil strike in nervy victory
LONDON: Theo Walcott scored two first-half goals and Mesut Ozil a fine third as Arsenal beat Swansea City 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to go level on
LONDON: Theo Walcott scored two first-half goals and Mesut Ozil a fine third as Arsenal beat Swansea City 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to go level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City.
But the Gunners had to survive a nervy finale after Granit Xhaka was dismissed 20 minutes from the end in what was former United States manager Bob Bradley’s first game in charge of Swansea.
England forward Walcott had been derided after disappointing appearances for his country in recent World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia but his Arsenal form remains solid and this match took his tally to six goals in five club appearances.
The 27-year-old scored twice in six first-half minutes courtesy of disappointing Swansea defending but Bradley’s side were handed a lifeline courtesy of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s effort.
Ozil then appeared to end their hopes early in the second half before Arsenal were left to unexpectedly hold on after Borja Baston scored a second Swansea goal Xhaka was then harshly red-carded for a foul on Modou Barrow.
Bradley, the first American manager in the Premier League, suffered a difficult afternoon as his new side ended the day in the relegation zone.
Arsenal looked a threat from the off and were disappointed not to take the lead early as defender Shkodran Mustafi headed onto the bar from Ozil’s corner.
Arsene Wenger’s side enjoyed most of the possession but Swansea occasionally threatened on the break, Leroy Fer shooting just over from the edge of the area following Kyle Naughton’s cross.
