After scoring the winner against Leeds a week ago, many Arsenal fans expected their legendary club icon Thierry Henry to carry on where he left off against Swansea yesterday.
However, a controversial goal in the 16th minute from Scott sinclair brought the home side level on one goal apiece after Robin Van Persie had netted in the 5th minute.
At the end of the 90 minutes, it was the home side who were the happier of the two sides. A 3-2 scoreline in favour of Swansea left Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger livid with the referees decisions to the point of describing the refs penalty decision “a complete imagination”.
The loss means Arsenal still hold on to 5th place 4 points behind Chelsea and level on points with Newcastle United who were 1 -0 over Queens Park Rangers at St. James’s Park.
For Swansea, the win sees them move into the top 10 , 9 points above the relegation zone. Swansea coach Brendan Rodgers hailed his teams performance crediting their philosophy for the huge victory.
“I think for us [our philosophy] is very much something we all believe in as a club,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.
“And very importantly, we’ve had success with it. To be able to play it is what we believe in and the players show great courage to keep playing the ball.
“I thought overall some of our combinations and ball retention was unbelievable so I’m very pleased.”
Arsene Wenger on the other hand was nor happy with the results as he believes his team were robbed off a positive result.
“We played against a good side but we have lost the last two games in very special circumstances.
“I think we were very unlucky because it was never a penalty but after that I feel we were guilty because when we got back to 2-2 I felt there was space to win the game.
“When we came back to 2-2 we knew we have what it takes to score a third goal but we have to be more experienced and make better decisions at the back.”
Arsenal next prepare to host Manchester United at the Emirates in what is expected to be pay back for their humiliating 8-2 loss they suffered at the beginning of the season.
The match will also see the return of veterans Scholes and Henry who will be looking to hand their sides the victory on the day.
Photo Credit © Paulo Henrique 2011
