Swansea have been breached by two Theo Walcott goals in the span of seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium, giving Arsenal a 2-0 advantage early on.
It’s not the kind of welcome to the Premier League American manager Bob Bradley had in mind.
Looking threatening almost every time in possession, Arsenal have come out of the gates like gangbusters and are fully deserving of their advantage.
Making countless last-ditch tackles and blocks, Swansea defended courageously in the opening 20 minutes but have been undone by two shambolic defensive errors, which in-form Theo Walcott was more than happy to pounce on.
Center-back Jordi Amat wanted too much time on the ball on Walcott’s first of the encounter. Instead of thrashing the ball away, the Spanish defender tried to chest the ball down 5 yards in front of goal. Walcott snapped in with lightning-quick speed and stole the ball like he was taking candy from a baby. The outcome from there was inevitable.
Things got worse for Bradley and Swansea seven minutes later from an Arsenal corner. Jack Cork endured a horrific moment that will replay as recurring nightmares. The Swansea midfielder mistimed a rudimentary clearing header, the ball falling favorably to Walcott, who was Johnny-on-the-spot to claim his second in seven minutes.
Walcott's second goal vs. Swansea#ARSSWA #AFC https://t.co/ObbCUqHQe8
— Feras | فراس 🌐 (@TrueFeras) October 15, 2016
Swansea have drawn one back through Gylfi Sigurdsson. The chance came almost out of nowhere as Granit Xhaka gifted the Iceland midfielder possession. Still, Sigurdsson had plenty to do and finished excellently from 25 yards out. The Swans are now trailing only 2-1, despite struggling to get into the match for long periods. Looks like we’re in for a thrilling second have in North London.