A game which was lost, and then won, before Arsenal ended up having to settle for the purgatory that is the FA Cup replay.

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY - 7 - A solid display from the Pole. He looked relatively secure between the sticks, and wasn't helped by his defence for the two goals he conceded.

BACARY SAGNA - 5 - Average defensively, but the main issue with Sagna was his play going forward. His seeming reluctance to supplement the attack, and his poor distribution when he did made Arsenal a negligible force down the right-hand side.

PER MERTESACKER - 6 - May be the scapegoat for Swansea's opener, but is relied upon to be the defensive leader, and when Arsenal came under pressure in the 2nd half, the backline creaked. Was caught square far too often.

LAURENT KOSCIELNY - 6 - His over eagerness to pinch the ball of Danny Graham was the main factor for Michu's goal. Made a timely intervention for Podolski's equaliser, and almost won the match late on, but was far too erratic in his decision making.

KIERAN GIBBS - 8 - Gave Arsenal down the left flank what Sagna didn't give them down the right. Ended up being Arsenal's "out-ball" and capped a fine display with the best goal he'll probably ever score for the Gunners.

MIKEL ARTETA - 6 - Normally the team's metronome, but failed to be the man to get attacks going. His inability to exert control over the midfield meant that, even when dominating, Arsenal never looked in complete control of the contest.

JACK WILSHERE - 5 - Cut a frustrated figure, as while never lacking effort, his passing went awry far too often. By the end of the match he became far too irritable and spent more time gesticulating at this teammates rather than protecting the back four.

SANTI CAZORLA - 5 - While the Spaniard always buzzed around, looking for space, he often failed to make the best of it. While Arsenal were much improved in the 2nd half, many of the game's key moments looked to be passing Cazorla by. Looks in need of a rest.

THEO WALCOTT - 5 - Always seems unable to be a menacing presence against backlines who defend deep, negating much of Walcott's best asset; his pace. Often failed to keep the ball, was inconsistent with his delivery from set-pieces, and missed a chance at 0-1 that he should have scored from.

OLIVIER GIROUD - 7 - Appeared to have left his shooting boots at home, but Giroud has the skill-set to make a contribution even when his eye for goal lets him down. Led the line well, often linking play proficiently. No more so than his superb assist for Gibbs' goal.

AARON RAMSEY - 6 - Often the target of many Gooners ire, which isn't helped by having to ply his trade out of position. After an ordinary first-half, he was much improved in the second. Produced a brilliant cross that Giroud should have done better from.

SUBS

LUKAS PODOLSKI - 7 - Was brought on with Arsenal drifting towards another trophy-less campaign, and made the much-needed impact. I'm of the opinion that the German remains the best finisher at the club, evinced by the unerring way he took his goal.

The usual myriad of emotions for Arsenal fans. While some are bemoaning the replay adding to the tough fixture list in January, any chance of glory for Arsenal would have ended with a defeat today.

The bottom line is that Arsenal are still in the FA Cup, and will be (narrow) favourites to make Round 4 on January 16th.

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Comments  

-1 #14 Chaz 2013-01-07 10:12
Ramsey was poor. He created one chance which doesn't excuse his constant losing of possession. I feel sorry for him because he's always being played on the wing, it can't be doing his confidence any good.
#13 RomanianGunner 2013-01-07 09:44
i think that was the best game i ever saw from gibbs, to bad that we didn't win:(.our goals were fantastic! anyway , i still hope that we gonna make a good transfer in this window,it's vital...
#12 Adiiii83 2013-01-07 06:41
Again I say you take Mertesacker out of the game and put a witches hat there instead, we would've won comfortably. This was one of the best Arsenal performances all season. Granted first half was cautious, but the 2nd half was all Arsenal combined with Mertesacker constantly trying to give Swansea a goal. He succeeded once unil Kos decided he had to mark him and Michu.
#11 Simon 2013-01-07 05:37
Quoting smudger12:
Quoting TH Henry:
Baffling ratings. We created a decent amount going forward, and Theo and Jack were the ones actually driving on and trying to get in behind. Woj was extremely flappy, Per and Kos both looked out of sorts, Ramsey gave a the ball away A LOT...

Not sure you watched really.


Theo driving? I missed that bit! He was anonymous.

Agreed. Theo was mostly anonymous today. Give credit where credit is due - Ramsey did well playing out of position today, and supplied a beautiful cross that was an absolute sitter that Giroud should have converted. Want to talk about giving the ball away? Look at Cazrola today. Jack had an off game today as well, and let his frustrations get the best of him, which makes me nervous for him. Sagna didn't have a good game today but he was left high and dry by Theo further upfield, especially during the first half. Arteta was forgettable and was dispossed to much. Gibbs did well today as did Podolski. Giroud was a mixed bag.
+3 #10 AndyS 2013-01-06 22:05
Seems like Arsene is determined to run Wilshere, Artera & Carzola into the ground. Lack of rotation in midfield is going to lead to burn out when we will be relying on Rosicky & Ramsey.
+1 #9 Houssam 2013-01-06 21:34
Good rating I admit but something with team have a unique habit at the moment of playing most of the passing at our own half also Sagna's form is not helping Theo at all and of course Geroud not receiving any service inside the box.
Man of the match has to be Gibs followed by Giroud and Podi.
-5 #8 Savage 2013-01-06 20:39
Thanks for the ratings. We're all in agreement that Gibbs had a good game today, and perhaps his best ever goal for Arsenal (but hopefully better to come!).

Just a note that I think Arteta gave Gibbs the ball, not Giroud.
+1 #7 Booyah 2013-01-06 20:35
Ramsey was better than cazorla in terms of creativity.
#6 Steve 2013-01-06 19:55
We really need a defensive midfielder, arteta playing in the dm position is one of our biggest problems this season. He dwells a lot on the ball, passes the ball backwards unnecessarily & his passes has been poor. As for ramsey, he is not even a Reading quality, still wenger plays him in arsenal.
#5 smudger12 2013-01-06 19:50
Quoting TH Henry:
Baffling ratings. We created a decent amount going forward, and Theo and Jack were the ones actually driving on and trying to get in behind. Woj was extremely flappy, Per and Kos both looked out of sorts, Ramsey gave a the ball away A LOT...

Not sure you watched really.


Theo driving? I missed that bit! He was anonymous.
+1 #4 Peltonboy 2013-01-06 19:37
A pretty accurate assessment by Shane. Once again the whole team seemed to want to take one more touch than was really necessary and I wonder who is asking them to play this way! On the odd occasions we were direct we looked dangerous. I hate to say it but man for man, with a couple of exceptions, I believe we have a stronger team than Man U, however they are winning more games than us purely down to their direct football and aggression . Sad but true.
-2 #3 TH Henry 2013-01-06 19:25
Baffling ratings. We created a decent amount going forward, and Theo and Jack were the ones actually driving on and trying to get in behind. Woj was extremely flappy, Per and Kos both looked out of sorts, Ramsey gave a the ball away A LOT...

Not sure you watched really.
-2 #2 duncan 2013-01-06 19:11
Shane did you watch the game.
Ramsay was the reason we didnt win, he gave the ball away 6 times,fell over his own laces and missed 3 great chances. Truely an awful performance,not worthy of our shirt
-1 #1 Silentstan 2013-01-06 18:52
Szez 6. Sagna 3. Mert 7. Kos 7. Gibbs 6. Arteta 3. Wilt 7 . Caz 6. Ramsey 5. Walcot 3. Gir 6