Arsenal 2-1 Swansea City
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Aaron Ramsey also scored in Arsenal's 5-2 win at Everton six days previously
Arsene Wenger suggested his Arsenal side have proved their critics wrong after coming back from behind to win for the third game in a row.
Aaron Ramsey's winner against Swansea - his 50th goal for the club - secured a fourth successive win in total, and came at the end of a testing week off the pitch, with shareholder protests at Thursday's annual general meeting.
On the field, Arsenal have discovered their character, having come back from conceding the first goal to beat Everton and Swansea in the league, as well as Norwich in the Carabao Cup.
"Again we have showed the mental strength to come back and win the game," said Wenger, who enjoyed victory in his 800th Premier League game.
"I'm convinced that we have proved people wrong at Everton, Norwich and today and that can only make the team stronger."
Aaron Ramsey's winner was his 50th goal for Arsenal, and his third of the season
Victory restored some cheer after the AGM, at which shareholders attempted unsuccessfully to vote out chairman Sir Chips Keswick, in protest at the way the club is being run.
And the gloom looked set to deepen when Sam Clucas slotted in a 22nd-minute goal against the run of play from Tammy Abraham's pass to give Swansea a half-time lead. It was the first touch Swansea had managed inside Arsenal's penalty area.
But two quick goals after the interval maintained Arsenal's 100% home record this season, with Sead Kolasinac firing in an equaliser before cutting back from the left for Ramsey to steer in via the foot of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Second half much better for Arsenal - Wenger
Kolasinac eases Arsenal's troubles
It was a happier end to the week for Wenger, who revealed during Thursday's stormy AGM that his position would be reviewed at the end of the season, even though he signed a two-year contract in May.
Those comments add an extra degree of uncertainty to Arsenal's long-term future, with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez both widely expected to leave when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
Ozil, Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette played together as an attacking trio for only the second time - but their chief threat came from elsewhere.
Sead Kolasinac's touchmap shows that he was largely involved in an attacking role as he patrolled the Arsenal left
Kolasinac, playing in the left wing-back role, provided their attacking impetus, taking every chance to get forward as Arsenal laboured in the first half, before playing a central role in the turnaround.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international finished a terrific move for the equaliser, as Arsenal finally managed to pass their way around and through a well-organised Swansea side.
Hector Bellerin, Granit Xhaka, Lacazette and Ozil were all involved, with the German's shot bouncing off a defender and running loose for Kolasinac to thump in via a deflection.
The wing-back's positive run to the byeline then set up Ramsey for the second, and there were other inspired moments, notably a beautiful, dragged backheel that sent Sanchez away down the left for a cross-shot that was saved.
"I liked his game today," Wenger said. "He had a good finish on the goal and some good combinations on the left, leading to the assist for the second.
"Once he scored, the confidence grew and he became more and more dangerous."
Stubborn Swansea rue Ayew miss
Sam Clucas' goal was his first for Swansea, having joined from Hull in August
Swansea have been very hard to break down away from home this season, despite their poor league position.
For much of this game, it looked as if that run would continue, as head coach Paul Clement switched to a 5-3-2 system that smothered Arsenal's passing game.
John Motson, commentating for Match of the Day, described the early exchanges as "cat and mouse" - but it was the mouse that roared first.
Clucas timed his run perfectly in from the left on to Abraham's through pass and rolled a finish past Petr Cech to leave the home side shocked.
Abraham, watched by England manager Gareth Southgate, turned in a highly commendable performance, increasing his chances of a first senior call-up for the November friendlies against Germany and Brazil.
Swansea created little in terms of clear chances, but will regret passing up a great opportunity to go 2-0 up just before half-time.
Jordan Ayew dispossessed a hesitant Per Mertesacker inside the penalty area, and only had Cech to beat - but the Arsenal goalkeeper stayed calm and blocked with his knee.
Jordan Ayew was denied by Petr Cech in the closing minutes of the first half
Man of the match - Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal)
Kolasinac has had a hand in more goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season than any other player (three goals, three assists)
What they said
Arsenal goalscorer Aaron Ramsey: "It was difficult in the first half but we stuck at it. We have quality players in this team. I'm delighted we won and kept our 100% home record.
"I'm pleased to reach 50 goals for this club. I hope there are a few more to come."
Swansea head coach Paul Clement: "It is frustrating in terms of results but we saw some positive things. That was not a bad performance, we come to a big ground and gave them a tough game. Now we have got to turn our home form around.
"I liked a lot of things about the performance and we deserved a little bit more than we got."
Arsenal 2-1 Swansea: We couldn't contain them - Clement
Arsenal's 13 in a row - the key stats
Arsenal have now won their last 13 games at the Emirates in all competitions, their longest ever winning run at the stadium.
This was also Arsene Wenger's 400th home win with the Gunners in all competitions (213 at the Emirates, 185 at Highbury, two at Wembley).
Aaron Ramsey is the 11th player to score 50 or more goals for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners have come from behind to win three Premier League games this season, more than they did in the whole of 2016-17 (two).
No player has created more goalscoring opportunities in the Premier League this season than Mesut Ozil (30, level with Kevin De Bruyne).
The Swans have mustered fewer shots (76) and shots on target (20) than any other Premier League side this season.
What's next?
Arsenal resume their Europa League campaign at home to Crvena Zvezda on Thursday (20:05 GMT) before travelling to Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday (14:15), while Swansea host Brighton next Saturday (15:00).
- Published26 October 2017
