By Alan Duffy
Arsenal failed to make any ground on second-placed Manchester City after suffering a shock defeat at home to a well-drilled Swansea City side.
Olivier Giroud did go close early on, heading over in what was a dull first-half.
After the break, the Gunners pushed for the goal, with Alexis Sanchez going close.
Santi Cazorla then saw his shot saved by the impressive former Gunner Lukasz Fabianski. The Pole saved everything Arsenal threw at him, although what the hosts did throw was generally aimed directly at the Swansea glovesman.
Arsenal laid siege to the Swans’ goal for much of the second period, with Sanchez and Walcott failing to make the most of fantastic chances.
Then late on, sub Bafetimbi Gomis saw his header bounce over the line before David Ospina could feebly scoop it out. Barring Gomis, hardly anyone in the stadium thought the ball had gone in, with Goal-line technology helping out referee Kevin Friend.
Arsenal pushed for an equaliser but in the end the Swans stood firm to secure the double over the north Londoners in the league this season.
Arsenal are now three points behind second-place City and just two ahead of Man Utd, albeit with a game in hand on both Manchester sides. Garry Monk’s Swansea are now just a point behind seventh-placed Southampton with a Europa League place still a possibility.
Highlights…
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Highlights: Footytube