Arsenal Ahead in EPL, Beat Swansea

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Arsenal travelled to Wales for a Premier League game against Swansea City today.  Swansea came out playing possession heavy football and made Arsenal play defense early.  The crowd was also involved and Swansea fed off their energy.  Arsenal settled in and created their own chances late in the first-half.  Neither side scored by half-time and staying on-sides was a problem for both clubs all day.

In the second-half the visitors turned up their game and Arsenal scored two goals less than five minutes apart.  First Arsenal's other new German signing Serge Gnabry was played in-on-goal by Ramsey following good combination play in the box (58').  Moments later Ramsey scored when Arsenal perfectly worked a counter-attack.  Giroud played the final pass for Ramsey who had his shot partially deflected, but not enough to keep it out of the net (62').

Swansea never gave up though, and made a positive change when Wilfred Bony was introduced.  The big striker was a lot for the Arsenal defense to handle and he helped setup a goal late for Swansea.  Leftback Davies made a driving run into Arsenal's box and Bony played a chipped ball over the top for him.  Defender Mertesacker managed to get just a piece of the ball on its way toward Davies, but he could not quite get enough.  Davies was able to get a touch off his thigh to direct the ball into the net, giving Swansea life late in the match (82').

Swansea could not work another goal following the late score and Arsenal held on for the road win.  Arsenal are now on top of the table in the Premier League after six rounds.  More clubs will play Sunday and Monday, but none can earn enough points to overtake the Gunners.

Swansea's Shelvey Stands Out Against Liverpool

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Former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey moved to the Welsh club Swansea City in the offseason and faced his old club today with the Reds coming to town.  Shelvey was a central figure throughout the first-half, initially giving his team a very early lead.  He first missed a half-volley shot, but the ball stayed at his feet and he was able to drive inside the box.  Then his next shot was blocked by Liverpool defender Skrtel, but again the ball stayed at his feet for a third crack at goal that did get past the keeper (2').

Immediately after the goal, Shelvey was responsible for giving away the lead when a poor back-pass to his keeper was intercepted by Sturridge.  The back-pass set up Sturridge in a perfect spot to take a quick first-touch shot for the equalizer (4').  Later in the first-half Shelvey was again responsible for a bad pass that resulted in another goal for Liverpool.  This time the pass was intercepted by Victor Moses (making his first start with the club) who streaked up the field and scored to put the Reds in front (36').  

Shelvey was able to redeem his two previous bad passes with one very good pass later in the second-half.  Shelvey put his teammate Michu in on goal with a well place glancing header.  Michu had a number of shots blocked and saved over the course of the match, but this one beat the Liverpool keeper for the final goal (64').  

Moses and defender Sakho both made their first starts today for Liverpool and both were quite good.  Liverpool have been forced to deal with several injuries to their defensive players and Coutinho may also be sidelined for a while, exiting today's match with an apparent shoulder injury.