Arsene Wenger: 'We were in control, but we lost some decisive challenges in the middle of the park in the last 20 minutes and we paid for that'

Published: 9 November, 2014 
By STEVE BARNETT

Premier League
SWANSEA CITY 2, ARSENAL 1

ARSENAL'S defensive frailties were put on show yet again this evening (Sunday) as Swansea struck twice in three minutes to come from behind and win at the Liberty Stadium. 

The Gunners went into the game still reeling from the 3-0 lead they let slip against Anderlecht in their midweek Champions League fixture. So the nervousness that remained in their game even after Alexis Sanchez had fired them into a 63rd-minute lead was somewhat unsurprising. 

Manager Arsene Wenger said it was "difficult to explain" how his side lost the game – but did hint that he now accepts that Arsenal won't be mounting a serious title charge this season. 

"We were in control, but we lost some decisive challenges in the middle of the park in the last 20 minutes and we paid for that," said the Frenchman. 

"At 1-0 up we lacked that spark and killer instinct to win it. We just couldn't get that all-important second goal. 

"We've lost a game we feel we should not have lost," Wenger added. "We have to live in a realistic world, in football you have to win the games you can win. And today was one of them. 

"If you want to challenge for the Premiership you have to be a bit more realistic than we were today."

Arsenal took the lead just after the hour mark when Sanchez slotted home his 12th goal of the campaign following good work by Danny Welbeck. 

But the Swans hit back in the torrential rain to heap yet more misery on Wenger. 

On 75 minutes former Spur Gylfi Sigurdsson powered home a stunning free-kick from 25 yards. Then, just three minutes later, substitute Bafetimbi Gomis, who replaced Wilfried Bony moments earlier, headed home to secure a 2-1 victory and compound a miserable week for Arsenal. 

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Chambers (Sanogo, 89), Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini (Wilshere, 79), Ramsey (Walcott, 79), Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez, Welbeck 
Subs not used: Martinez, Bellerin Rosicky, Podolski
Attendance: 20,812