How Twitter Reacted to Swansea's Surprising (and Dull) Victory over Arsenal

The last time Arsenal and Swansea met, the Welsh side came away with a 2-1 win that saw them leapfrog the Gunners into fifth place in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger's side, meanwhile, were in one of their traditional annual mini crises, having thrown away a three-goal lead over Anderlecht a few days earlier.

On Monday evening, circumstances were quite different. Arsenal were all but assured of automatic Champions League qualification and Swansea's only concern was enhancing a season of over-achievement with the double-edged sword of Europa League qualification...

The low-stakes nature of the game was not lost on the good folks of Twitter before kick-off...

Such was the lack of enthusiasm for the match that pictures of the (admittedly impressive) surface at the Emirates were among the more interesting pre-match themes...

"

AMAZING: The Emirates pitch ahead of Arsenal vs Swansea tonight. Perfect. pic.twitter.com/25HfNlqE5v

— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) May 11, 2015"

Bafetimbi Gomis was only fit enough to start on the bench and Nelson Oliveira was out of action, meaning Garry Monk's side started with no recognisable striker...  

"

A tough game in store tonight. Swansea without a striker and 6 in midfield!

— The Duke (@MrKellyEden) May 11, 2015"

As the game kicked off, it became apparent that Gylfi Sigurdsson was the man playing furthest forward...

"

Sigurdsson up front is quite strange.

— dom. (@dom_whit) May 11, 2015"

Within three minutes, Jonjo Shelvey had already drawn attention to himself with a cheeky challenge...

Shortly after, Mesut Ozil managed to launch a free-kick straight into the face of a large compatriot...

Arsenal enjoyed a healthy share of possession in the first half, leading some to criticise the visitors' tactical set-up...

As the first half drew to a close, many grew frustrated by a game that was living up to its unappetising billing...

"

Boring boring Arsenal. Christ their fans are quiet. #ARSSWA

— James duffy (@Duffalloo) May 11, 2015"

"

What a boring match, I thought Arsenal played the best football in the league?

— - (@Febreezion) May 11, 2015"

The game was threatening to plunge viewers into existential dispair, but one statistic offered a glimmer of hope...

Around the hour mark, Arsenal's chances of a breakthrough were apparently given a further boost when Angel Rangel was substituted for Jazz Richards. The musically monikered right-back recently returned from a loan spell at Fulham, but his name is clearly much more impressive than his reputation...

"

lol Jazz Richards coming on, time for Swansea to capitulate

— Sean (@wolves_1990) May 11, 2015"

Sadly, the introduction of some mild Jazz things didn't really improve the situation...

However, with five minutes to go, a miracle finally occurred! A goal! And it came heavily against the flow of play from substitute Gomis, via a decision granted by goal-line technology...

It didn't take long for Arsenal fans to be trolled...

"

Arsenal Fans Right Now! pic.twitter.com/ru7kUbNnTO

— Football Trolls (@Footballltrolls) May 11, 2015"

"

Arsenal won't give up on their 4th spot without a fight.

— Moe. (@NoLaughingMata) May 11, 2015"

"

Will arsenal finish above city in the table? pic.twitter.com/EqXAE1A11F

— محمد (@TheZabaTackle) May 11, 2015"

"

Excuse me Manchester United thats Arsenal's spot pic.twitter.com/IoVemRGoti

— Semper Fi : United (@SemperFiUnited) May 11, 2015"

The match finished 1-0, leaving Gunners fans understandably disappointed...

"

I'm convinced my supporting Arsenal and the associated angst is a punishment for past sins. I just can't recall my stint as a mass murderer.

— Damian Burns (@damianburns) May 11, 2015"

So, what started as a dull game with little consequence ended with Arsenal seeing their second-place finish under threat and Swansea knocking on the door of European football. It was proof that there is never a dull moment in the Premier League. Well, except the first 85 minutes of this game...