Wenger has talked up Campbell’s character, a trait bandied about more frequently by managers of today, but Wenger’s words are well worth their weight in gold.
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With season-shaping games on the horizon – Arsenal’s next two matches are against Bayern Munich and Tottenham – Campbell has the chance to ink his name into Gunners folklore and capture the hearts of the club’s fans. I’m just very pleased with the result here.
However with their depleted side and history against Swansea, the game could go either way and it’s actually quite a tough one to predict. “They supported us the whole game and it was very important for us”. Once again, they have shown a few real quality.
Arsenal’s performance in the first half was less than stellar, but thanks to the botched chance by Bafetimbi Gomis they managed to find themselves tied going into the halftime break.
Joel Campbell wrapped up victory five minutes later with a clinical finish for his first Gunners goal as Arsenal eased to three points.
Arsenal struggled to muster much attacking threat in the immediate aftermath of their opener, but doubled their lead eight minutes after the hour-mark when Koscielny prodded home after Fabianski was unable to take a catch.
Yet Arsenal regained their composure and made the game safe with two goals in the final quarter, albeit in somewhat controversial circumstances.
Campbell struck on his first league start as the Gunners kept up the pressure on leaders Manchester City with a ruthless second-half dismantling of Swansea.
The way Arsenal are playing at the moment, not many can doubt their title credentials, but they do have a very important tie in the Champions League against Bayern Munich in Germany.
The Frenchman, who has again been in tremendous goal-scoring form despite being criticised after losing his place to Theo Walcott, was proud of the fact that his goal in the 49th minute against Swansea City had such significance.
“We haven’t proved anything yet, but what we have learned is to take it game by game”, Mertesacker said. “But there is always diverse opinions after the game”.
Swansea manager Garry Monk added: “I m disappointed we lost the game”.
Arsenal will attempt to erase the painful memory of their embarrassing League Cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday when they return to Premier League action at Swansea City on Sunday morning (NZT).
“As far as the challenge for their second goal is concerned, I have seen them given”. I have seen them awarded pretty much every time. I think three-nil flatters Arsenal. We started slowly but we were creating chances to score.
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“But it’s not like when you first came up to the league and you want to beat one of the bigger teams to give you that belief you can do it”.
