Arsenal analysis: Gunners close in on Tottenham as Arsene Wenger passes another Premier League milestone

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James Olley28 October 2017

Arsenal came from behind to beat Swansea in Arsene Wenger's 800th Premier League game in charge of the Gunners.

Wenger stuck with the same side that thrashed Everton 5-2 last weekend and they eventually came up with the goods to secure a 2-1 win and move within a point of rivals Tottenham in third place.

Sam Clucas had given Swansea a first-half lead with his maiden goal for the club but Sead Kolasinac levelled after the interval before laying on Aaron Ramsey's winner seven minutes later.

James Olley assesses they key talking points at the Emirates...

Wenger survives scare on another milestone

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Arsene Wenger’s 800th Premier League match threatened to be an uncomfortable affair as Swansea took a first-half lead.

His team were booed off by some supporters at the interval and the frustration that has so often been in evidence at Emirates Stadium grew as the Gunners laboured in possession.

However, they responded in fine fashion with two goals in seven minutes to transform the atmosphere and turn the game on its head.

Tottenham have had a relatively serene start to the season compared to the turbulence Arsenal have encountered, and yet this evening they are separated by just one point in the table.

Arsenal rediscover their home comforts

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The mood at Emirates Stadium is never far from turning sour, such are the deep-rooted issues surrounding Wenger’s management, and the Frenchman admitted last season the negative environment around the team had an effect on results.

They have not always been entirely convincing yet Arsenal have now won ten successive home League games which should go some way to easing tensions in the stands.

At Thursday’s Annual General Meeting, Wenger discussed how one bad result can reinforce pre-conceived ideas that the team is not good enough to compete for major honours.

Maintaining this home form in the months ahead will help challenge that notion.

Kolasinac gets back on track

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The 24-year-old quickly gained a cult following after his free transfer from Schalke, not just for scoring in Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Chelsea but his playing style - proving both strong in the tackle but also willing to maraud forward when possible.

Although it would be a stretch to suggest he has suffered a dip in form of late, Kolasinac was somewhat subdued in recent matches but here he came to Arsenal’s rescue with a well-taken goal and intelligent assist for Aaron Ramsey’s winning goal.

The Gunners do not have many natural alternatives at left wing-back and therefore there is an increased onus on Kolasinac to deliver, especially when width becomes an important aspect of breaking teams down.

He went off with 12 minutes left following a heavy challenge and Wenger will hope no lasting damage was done.

Mertesacker is left exposed

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Arsenal’s lack of pace in defence is an issue against teams who sit deep and look to counter-attack and Per Mertesacker is the most vulnerable in that regard.

Almost inexplicably, the Gunners left Mertesacked one versus one at the back against Tammy Abraham which, in speed terms, was a totally mismatch.

Arsenal were almost caught out midway through the first half, though Mertesacker did just enough to keep the 20-year-old at bay.

But the problem was exacerbated by the home side’s need to chase the game and commit players forward following Sam Clucas’ 22nd-minute opener.

Arsenal found a way to win but this shortcoming made it harder than it needed to be.

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