Arsenal vs. Swansea: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League

Arsenal’s push for second place in the Premier League was dealt a massive blow as Swansea produced a smash-and-grab raid on Monday night to claim a 1-0 win at the Emirates and complete a notable league double for Garry Monk's men.

The Gunners are looking to fend off Manchester City in the race for second behind Chelsea, but they dropped a massive three points as Bafetimbi Gomis climbed off the bench to head home with five minutes remaining and end Arsenal's 10-game unbeaten run.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Arsenal remain three points adrift of City with a game in hand but have a far inferior goal difference and will now need Manuel Pellegrini’s men to slip up.

The Gunners came into the game in fine form and threw down an early marker four minutes in with a slick passing move that resulted in Olivier Giroud glancing a header over the bar.

Swansea still have an outside chance of making it into Europe and there was plenty of ambition about their play. The visitors almost caught Arsenal out with a long ball from the back by Swansea captain Ashley Williams, but David Ospina raced off his line to clear the danger.

But for all the early promise, the game did not burst into life. Arsenal had plenty of possession, passing the ball with precision, but they were unable to test former Gunner Lukasz Fabianski in the Swansea goal in the opening 45 minutes.

"

Half-time report: #afc 0 #swans 0. Nothing to add.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 11, 2015"

Giroud at least stirred the Arsenal fans into life three minutes before the interval with a snap shot from 25 yards, but his effort was always wide of the target.

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Arsenal 0-0 Swansea HT: Shots: 5-5 Possession: 64%-36% Chances created: 4-2 Pass accuracy: 91%-82% Fouls: 5-5 pic.twitter.com/9cBfndyyVo

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 11, 2015"

Arsenal got behind the Swansea defence on 51 minutes, with Hector Bellerin galloping forward down the right. He fizzed a teasing, low cross into the box, but Federico Fernandez put his body on the line to get to the ball before Giroud.

Aaron Ramsey spent much of the first half facing his own goal, but he showed real class on 55 minutes when dashing in behind and producing a neat turn to craft space. But the oohs from the crowd turned to groans when he made a complete mess of his cross.

Fabianski was forced into his first save of the match on 59 minutes, with the Pole able to plunge onto a shot from the edge of the box from Giroud, and Ramsey fired a shot into the side netting moments later as Arsenal came to life.

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Aaron Ramsey hits the side-netting, and it remains Arsenal 0 - 0 Swansea. Sky Sports 1 #MNF http://t.co/3UV7CSaEyc pic.twitter.com/LPabuojru1

— Sky Sports MNF (@SkySportsMNF) May 11, 2015"

The Swansea 'keeper made a far more difficult save on 64 minutes, with Fabianski plunging to his right to keep out a drive from Santi Cazorla.

If the Gunners fall just short of second place, they may well look back on the 78th minute as the moment it got away from them, as Alexis and substitute Theo Walcott both shot straight at Fabianski with the goal gaping.

"

Oh Theo. That was surely your moment.

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) May 11, 2015"

The frustration turned to disbelief on 85 minutes as Gomis, who had only just arrived on the pitch, climbed high to meet a cross. He did not make great contact, but his header had enough on it to beat the dive of Ospina.

The Arsenal 'keeper thought he had kept the ball out, but goal-line technology worked in Swansea's favour to sink the Gunners.

The loss takes the destiny of second place out of Arsenal's hands. Wins at Manchester United and at home to Sunderland and West Brom would only be enough if Manchester City slip up, while they have also opened the door for United to snatch third place.

Notable Player Grades

Lukasz Fabianski: A

The 'keeper had a superb night on his return to his former club with a string of fine saves.

Jonjo Shelvey: B

His work rate was good as he got amongst the Arsenal midfielders and was always looking to create when he got the ball down.

Alexis Sanchez: C-

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The Chile international worked as hard as ever but too often ran into a swarm of Swansea players and was unable to influence. He missed a great chance late on.

Aaron Ramsey: C

Again, the work rate was good, but he was too often heading back to his own goal and forced into deep areas.

Olivier Giroud: C+

He worked the line well and tested Fabianski with a couple of shots but was for the most part starved of service.

Reaction

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, via PremierLeague.com:

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It's frustrating. We were never less under threat to concede a goal all season, and we were a bit unlucky on the goal and a bit guilty as well. If you play this game 20 times you win 19, but tonight was the other one.

"

Swansea manager Garry Monk, via PremierLeague.com:

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We could've gone toe-to-toe, but we set up that way and the players were magnificent. I knew if we got a chance or two at the end we'd take one, and thankfully we did. I've tried to make us adaptable—we had to give Arsenal respect, and sometimes you have to play a different way. Today showed exactly what we're about.

"