Swansea 3 - 2 Arsenal

Arsenal's hopes of closing on the Premier League top four were dented by stylish Swansea City in an enthralling match at the Liberty Stadium.

The Gunners took an early lead with a well-taken Robin van Persie goal, but the visitors were outplayed at times.

Scott Sinclair converted a penalty after Aaron Ramsey's foul before Nathan Dyer clipped the Swans in front.

Theo Walcott dinked over Michel Vorm to level but, less than a minute later, Danny Graham slotted home the winner.

The victory, Swansea's first over Arsenal since February 1982, elevates Brendan Rodgers' side into the top 10, but will leave counterpart Arsene Wenger musing on a third defeat in the Gunners' last four Premier League away matches.

Wenger was reportedly unhappy at the state of the Liberty Stadium pitch, where rugby union side Ospreys also play their home games, but Swansea proved that a passing style could thrive on the surface as they deprived Arsenal of possession for long periods.

Initially, Wenger's players seemed to have put their manager's concerns at ease.

Walcott could have done better with an early chance, before Alex Song's neat lay-off gave Andrey Arshavin space in front of the Swansea rearguard.

Van Persie then took his cue to drift into space and, from Arshavin's precise pass, he advanced on goal and held off the attentions of Steven Caulker to fire past Vorm.

But Swansea wasted no time in forcing their way back to parity as wide men Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair attacked their respective full-backs - the youthful Ignasi Miquel and the out-of-position Johan Djourou.

BBC