Bafetimbi Gomis and Lukasz Fabianski combine to sink Arsenal

Tom Williams 08:11 12/05/2015
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  • Technology fan: Gomis.

    Bafetimbi Gomis scored a late, technology- assisted winner as Swansea City compromised Arsenal’s quest for automatic Champions League qualification with a smash-andgrab 1-0 away victory.

    Arsenal had won nine of their previous 10 games, only dropping points in a goalless draw with champions Chelsea, but after being kept at bay by their former goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, they were undone in the 85th minute.

    Gomis, a 74th-minute replacement for Ki Sung-yueng, sent a header towards goal and although Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina appeared to have clawed it away, the Goal Decision System showed that the ball had crossed the line.

    It was Arsenal’s first home defeat in the league since November, when they lost 2-1 to Manchester United, two weeks after going down by the same scoreline at Swansea.

    United can take possession of third place by Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, although Arsene Wenger’s side retain a game in hand at home to Sunderland.

    Fabianksi was in inspired form for the visitors, although it was a largely substandard contest.

    The Pole came alive in the second- half, first saving fron Santi Cazorla before gathering a prodded effort from substitute Theo Walcott and then spreading himself at his near post to thwart Nacho Monreal, who had motored onto an incisive pass from Alexis Sanchez.

    Fabianski then repelled efforts from Aaron Ramsey and Cazorla either side of a razor-sharp double save that left Sanchez and Walcott with their heads in their hands.

    Frustration turned to disbelief minutes later when Montero clipped a cross into the box from the Swansea left and Ospina was unable to prevent Gomis’ downward header from crossing the line.

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