Jack 1 Jacks 0: Arsenal beat Swansea in FA Cup with late Wilshere strike

16 Jan 2013 21:42
The England midfielder was an inspiration for the Gunners and fittingly got the goal that turned a frustrating night of one-way traffic into a victory
Bright ‘un: Wilshere’s goal sends Arsenal to the south coast in round four
Jan Kruger
Where there is Jack Wilshere, there is hope for Arsenal.
Wilshere not only struck the 85th minute winner to settle this FA Cup third-round replay, but his all-round performance was the driving force behind Arsenal setting up a fourth round trip to Brighton.
The England midfielder is just 21 and yet was an example for every player on the Emirates’ pitch, running himself into the ground, winning tackles and inspiring his team-mates.
Arsenal were beginning to give up hope as they fluffed chances, hit the woodwork and had efforts cleared off the line.
But Wilshere is a player who never gives up.
While others were losing their way, he drove forward and produced an unstoppable shot to match his performance.
It kept up Arsene Wenger’s proud record of never going out in the FA Cup third round and, more importantly, restored hope and promise for their season.
These days, there seems be as much discussion about how many fans will turn up for an Arsenal home game as Wenger’s team selection.
Wenger went for a near full strength line-up and, despite the furore over ticket prices at the Emirates, it was a near sell-out.
But, despite 58,359 tickets being sold, there were big gaps in the stands.
However, it was not a bad turnout for a freezing-cold night, for an FA Cup replay and with pennies tight after Christmas.
Sadly, you could also say that about Wenger in the January transfer market.
Wenger’s pre-match message was that it has been proving hard to find a player who could improve his current squad.
After recent slip-ups it is hard to agree with Wenger about the quality of his squad and yet this was their moment to step up to the plate against a Swansea side also in the middle of a gruelling fixture list.
It was a tense and nervy affair as Arsenal’s fans are a tipping point with their season finely poised.
The nerves probably were not helped by Nathan Dyer twice skipping away and only having his efforts blocked on both occasions by Thomas Vermaelen.
Swansea’s former Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley also crashed a header against the bar while Wilshere carried the main threat as he drove the home side forward.
But the home side found keeper Michel Vorm in outstanding form as the Dutchman frustrated them with two super saves.
First, Wilshere’s corner was not cleared and the ball dropped to Francis Coquelin, whose rasping volley was saved superbly on the line by Vorm.
He then produced an even better stop on the stroke of half-time, blocking Vermaelen’s close-range effort with his legs.
Arsenal stepped up the pace after the break as Abou Diaby’s pass sent Theo Walcott and the winger’s pace took him clear.
Defender Chico Flores nicked at his heels but, rather than going down for a penalty, Walcott stayed on his feet, stumbled and then beat Vorm with a delicate shot which ran inches wide of the far post.
Olivier Giroud then flashed a header just wide of the target as Arsenal pinned Swansea back.
They must have thought they had scored after 63 minutes when Wilshere’s shot was parried by Vorm and Walcott fired the loose ball goalwards but, heroically, Danny Graham blocked on the line.
It was a remarkable block and, despite Arsenal appeals for handball, TV replays showed that ref Mark Clattenburg got it right.
From the resulting corner, Giroud then had a header cleared off the line by Leon Britton.
Arsenal laid siege to the Swansea penalty box.
It was so one-sided it became embarrassing as Vorm made save after save and the visitors cleared effort after effort off the line.
Walcott should have scored when his glancing header from Bacary Sagna’s cross hit the post.
Then Giroud wasted countless chances as his finishing was found wanting.
When Giroud saw an effort cleared off the line by Wayne Routledge, Arsenal’s hope began to diminish.
But where there’s Wilshere there’s a way.
The England midfielder chased down a loose ball, drove forward and then unleashed a brilliant left-footed shot which flew past Vorm.