Still they have a lifeline this season, with Leicester drawing and Spurs and City both losing.
It all started so well. Arsenal looked sharp and when Joel Campbell smashed home Sanchez’s lovely chip pass things looked promising.
However, Arsenal let their foot off the pedal just a little and poor crosses and finishing would come back to haunt them.
Swansea’s equalizer was assisted by the referee, who turned a blind eye to the mugging of Mesut Ozil. In a flash Swansea whipped the ball upfield and Wayne Routledge got the better of Mertesacker, Bellerin and Cech to even the score.
Arsenal would have their chances. Three times the woodwork came to the rescue of Swansea. Giroud smashed a volley against the crossbar, while Alexis would be denied twice, his free-kick in the second half being the best of the two.
Swansea would score the winner when Sigurdsson produced a brilliant free-kick that bounced off Ashley Williams and in.
Arsenal were unable to fashion a gilt edged chance at the end, extending their miserable losing streak and putting their title chances in jeopardy.
Player Ratings:
Cech 6: Perhaps he could have been better on the winning goal, but it was a well placed kick. He has now hurt himself and will be out for awhile. Let’s hope Ospina can resurrect his career.
Bellerin 5: Hector had a chance to have one of his finest performances, but he delivered one of his most disappointing. He was constantly menacing the Swansea flank, combining well with Campbell, yet he constantly failed to deliver a decent cross or make good decisions. By the second half he largely gave up, due to a lack of confidence. On the Routledge goal, he was two steps behind the Swansea player.
Mertesacker 6: Was caught slow footed on the opening goal, but for the most part he kept Gomis quiet. Set up Giroud, but he might have headed at goal himself.
Gabriel 5: Another unconvincing display from Gabriel. Perhaps he could have bodied Williams on the winning goal. His game was summed up by his punting the ball into the stands in extra-time when he had time to play it back to Cech.
Monreal 6: A decent game from Nacho, but he too could have crossed the ball a little better from the flanks (he had some good crosses and some poor ones).
Coquelin 6: I felt it was his best game since he’s returned from injury, snapping into tackles and participating more in the buildup.
Ramsey 6: He worked hard, he ran a lot, but there was little cutting edge from Aaron. He even turned down the chance to shoot, an indication of a lack of confidence.
Ozil 6: He got more ball this time and he worked hard, but he was unable to pry this defence open.
Campbell 7: A great opening goal got the Gunners going. He was looking far more dangerous and active than Walcott against Man United. He did make several poor decisions as the half wore on and he passed up the chance to cross the ball because he lacks confidence in his right foot. Was subbed when Alexis should really have come off.
Giroud 5: Smashed a volley against the crossbar. He had a couple of other half chances, which he failed to take advantage of. To be honest, the service from the flanks was woeful.
Sanchez 6: He had a lovely assist on the opening goal and twice was denied by the woodwork. There were some positive signs, but there were the moments of poor passing and lack of ball control, which cost the team. He needs to find himself once again.
Substitutes:
Welbeck 5: Unable to make a huge impact. Narrowly missed near the end of the match.
Walcott 5: Also unable to deliver. He had a weak header and a weak cross to Welbeck as his highlights.