Mkhitaryan endures miserable debut as Arsenal slump at Swansea

Welcome to Arsenal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan. You would feel sorry for the new arrival if this was -- in any way -- a surprise, but The Armenian international surely knew what he was joining: A side, whose 3-1 defeat to the team at the bottom of the Premier League, could not be described as a shock.

Sam Clucas scored twice and Jordan Ayew added the other when taking advantage of a comical error by Petr Cech. As the hosts roared to victory, it seemed long ago that Nacho Monreal gave the away side a lead in the first half. From there it was textbook Arsenal, with plenty of pleasant football but nothing to show for it.

It has been like this for so long that such a result won't change anything. Or, at least, while Arsene Wenger is still in charge. The Liberty Stadium bounced at the end as their team celebrated a win that followed victory in their last league games vs. Liverpool, while the Arsenal fans slunk home as they have done many times before.

Against Swansea, the Frenchman came on for what is set to be his last Gunners' appearance
There was a slight surprise on the Arsenal teamsheet, not so much on the pitch but the bench, where new signing Mkhitaryan sat beside Olivier Giroud, despite the French striker's apparently impending move to Chelsea.

In the wake of his side's disappointing display in South Wales, Wenger paid tribute to his departing forward.

It's a tribute to Olivier (that he played) because he is a guy who gave great service to the club, he never let us down on the commitment front and saved us many times,' Wenger said.

'I took him from Montpellier and made him a strong international player for France. We have come together through good and bad but always his behaviour was top, top class.' 

Swansea 0-4 Arsenal

Alexis_Sanchez has been involved in more goals than any other #PL player this season (21 – 14 goals, 7 assists)

Arsenal moved up to third as a 4-0 win at Swansea City saw them move ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.

They took the lead after 38 minutes as Sanchez turned provider when his cross was headed down by Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud converted for his fifth goal in five games.

Giroud was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after taking a knock to the foot, but Arsenal soon scored the second goal when an Alex Iwobi cross looped in off the unfortunate Jack Cork.

With 68 minutes gone, any lingering doubts about the result were removed when another Iwobi cross was deflected in by a Swansea player, this time Naughton.

And with a little over a quarter of an hour still to play, Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed and the ball deflected off Wayne Routledge for Sanchez to steer home number four as Arsenal edged ahead of Liverpool prior to their match against Manchester United on Sunday.Olivier Giroud continued his fine run of form to put Arsenal ahead at Swansea City.

EPL : Red card utk Xhaka | Arsenal trus menang

A first-half double from Theo Walcott helped Arsenal edge past Swansea City 3-2.

In his first match as Swansea manager Bob Bradley saw his side come close to extending their unbeaten to five visits to Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal survived Granit Xhaka's second-half red card and a late Welsh fightback.

The in-form Walcott got both goals from close-range finishes as he took advantage of hesitant Swansea defending.

Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Swansea hope before half-time with a curling shot after Xhaka had given away the ball.

After the break Mesut Ozil volleyed in Alexis Sanchez's pass to double Arsenal's lead. But Swansea were not finished, as Borja Baston's strike and Xhaka's sending-off for a foul on the impressive Modou Barrow ensured a nervy finish for the home fans.

Walcott almost sealed his hat-trick with a couple of late chances, but Arsenalheld on to sit joint-top of the table.

We've seen a few people not sure about what @MesutOzil1088's stands for, so to clarify...

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Ashley Williams celebrates scoring Swansea's second

Arsene Wenger post-match quotes

"We created many chances and were unlucky in our finishing. It was a very disappointing result.

"I'm worried about results. It's a very difficult moment for the team so we need to focus on ourselves and do the basics.

"Cech got a muscular problem at the end of the game. He will not play on Saturday. I have full faith in Ospina."

"We hit the bar a few times, we were on top, we were unlucky. To lose a game like that is a shame but we have to respond.

"I still can't understand that because it's just under the eyes of the referee and we were unlucky with that decision.

"At the moment we lack a little bit confidence in front of goal. We have to deal with that."