AARON RAMSEY HIT his 50th goal for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s side came from behind once again to see off Premier League strugglers Swansea City 2-1.
Swansea led at the interval courtesy of Sam Clucas’ 22nd-minute effort, but Sead Kolasinac brought Arsenal level with his first Premier League goal in the 51st minute.
Swansea then found themselves behind just seven minutes later when Ramsey tucked home from Kolasinac’s cross.
Having seen their first-half superiority go unrewarded, Arsenal stepped things up after the interval and only the woodwork prevented Hector Bellerin from putting his side further ahead.
Yet things could have been different had Jordan Ayew not squandered a gilt-edged chance to double Swansea’s lead before the interval.
Arsenal’s 13th successive victory at the Emirates Stadium lifts them into the top four, closing ground on north London rivals Tottenham, who lost to Manchester United earlier today, while Swansea linger just above the relegation zone.
Fresh from a thumping victory over Everton in their last league outing, Arsenal were quickly on the front foot. Mike van der Hoorn blocked Ramsey’s goalbound effort before Lukasz Fabianski denied Alexis Sanchez.
Swansea’s back five settled relatively well, although Alfie Mawson had to react sharply to prevent Alexandre Lacazette tucking home a Kolasinac cut-back.
Against the run of play, though, it was the visitors who took the lead with their first touch in Arsenal’s area as – having latched onto Tammy Abraham’s throughball - Clucas kept his composure to prod a fine first-time finish past the onrushing Petr Cech.
Clucas went close to doubling his tally on 40 minutes, Cech left stationary as the midfielder’s thumping long-range effort inched past the left-hand upright.
That effort sparked Arsenal into life, however, and former Gunner Fabianski was at his best to keep out Sanchez’s stinging strike.
Swansea could have snatched a second on the stroke of half-time when Ayew robbed Per Mertesacker of possession, but Cech was out quickly to smother the danger.
Arsenal were quick to make Swansea pay for that miss six minutes after the restart, Kolasinac hammering home a venomous strike that Fabianksi could only help into the net.
In a whirlwind start to the second half, Abraham thought he had restored Swansea’s lead immediately, only for the linesman’s offside flag to halt the visitors’ celebrations.
Arsenal’s turnaround should have been complete moments later, only for Koscielny to head wide of a gaping goal from Sanchez’s superb free-kick.
The error did not prove costly, though, as Kolasinac turned a neat pass inside for Ramsey, whose low finish crept in past Fabianksi. The goalkeeper may be disappointed not to have done better.
Wenger’s side suddenly looked rampant and Bellerin almost made it a goal apiece for Arsenal’s wing-backs when he volleyed Ramsey’s cross against the crossbar.
After losing Kolasinac to injury, Arsenal looked to finish with a flourish – substitute Olivier Giroud twice going close – but with Swansea devoid of ideas going forward, those misses mattered little as the Gunners cruised into the Champions League places.
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The Sport Ireland statement is a strange one “he bore no significant fault or negligence”- While I’d doubt he intentionally took the substance it was most definitely negligent not to check with the team nutritionist if the substance was legal or not
Brendan O Sullivan got off lightly. Would the sports council have been so lenient if he was an athlete or cyclist.
No one forced O Sullivan to take the illegal supplement. It was the height of stupidly not to check with the team doctor.
As for Marc O Se to say he was unaware of O Sullivan’s use of an illegal supplement. Did he never ask where’s Brendan?
@Diarmuid: the banned substance was not in a supplement but in a sports drink, similar to Lucozade sport. That’s why he got off so lightly
Kimmage will be all over this like a rash. “Now hang on Joe! This is important!”
@Marks Awarded: he was on the same time as O Se and you’re correct. That’s exactly how it went
OSullivan had no idea what he took, it was in a drink. I believe that.
What I dont believe is Marc O’Se saying he had no idea, thats bullsh!t.
But fair play to the Kerry boys for closing ranks and keeping this quite. Best of luck to anyone who can beat these, that sort of loyalty and respect is hard to beat!!
Imagine if this was Diarmuid Connolly or another Dublin player.. Ud have fools tarnishing they’re All Ireland wins .. If its Kerry its ok just a mistake
Kerry didn’t win an AIl Ireland last year.