Arsenal have warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League encounter against FC Bayern with a win. The Gunners won 3-0 away to Swansea on Saturday evening, keeping pace with table-toppers Manchester City with their fifth league win in a row. Both clubs are on 25 points after eleven matchdays, with City ahead on goal difference.
Without Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey, who were all sidelined with injury, Arsenal struggled in the first half, but the hosts failed to make best use of their chances. After the break the crowd at Swansea's Liberty Stadium saw the Gunners rev up. Olivier Giroud (49), Laurent Koscielny (68) and Joel Campbell (73) scored the goals, with two assists by Mesut Özil.
“After the first goal we were the dominant side and won deservedly,” commented Arsène Wenger, who has been Arsenal's coach since 1996. Giroud's opener was the 2,000th goal under the Frenchman's auspices. “We needed this victory before the big game on Wednesday,” explained Giroud after the final whistle.
Arsenal line-up in Swansea: Cech - Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal - Coquelin, Santi Cazorla – Campbell (Gibbs 85), Özil (Iwobi 90+3), Sanchez – Giroud (Chambers 84)
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