Swansea 0-3 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

Arsenal continued their Premier League run with an emphatic 3-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Goals from Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell were enough to see off a resilient Swansea side who lost again after winning last weekend against Aston Villa.Meanwhile, Arsenal have stretched their winning run to five consecutive league games. Giroud continued his rich vein of form by getting his name on the scoresheet again, Koscielny scored for the second time in as many games while Campbell also scored his first goal for the club in his first start for the Gunners in the Premier League. We look at the five talking points from the Gunners’ victory at the Liberty Stadium.

#1 Olivier Giroud is in red-hot form

Previously, Giroud had come off the bench to score four times for the Gunners. But with Theo Walcott out injured, Wenger had no other option but to start Giroud up front. And the Frenchman did not disappoint his manager. After a low-key first half, Giroud started the Gunners’ goal fest with a header from Mesut Ozil’s corner.

Giroud has now scored four goals in his last five games for Arsenal, scoring against Watford, Bayern Munich, Everton, and now Swansea, missing the scoresheet in midweek during Arsenal’s League Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. More importantly for the French striker, he has now scored six goals in the Premier League – the most for any Arsenal player.

Since making his Premier League debut in August 2012, Olivier Giroud has also scored more headed goals than any other player (15). He was substituted by Wenger around the 75 minute mark to keep him fresh for the mid-week clash against Bayern Munich. Giroud was unhappy with the change at first, but acknowledged Wenger’s decision.

But Giroud has not disappointed overall. He has time and again shown that he can be the number one striker for the Gunners. His performances in the past few weeks have given him confidence and you can hear the Arsenal fans singing his name more frequently.

#2 Gunners are coping with casualties

Arsenal's second-half stroll was particularly impressive considering Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott were added to their growing injury list during Tuesday's abject 3-0 League Cup defeat to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. The shock of that loss was particularly jolting, coming as it did after victories over Everton and Bayern Munich.

But the pain of defeat was perhaps less severe than the headache caused by those injuries. With Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, David Ospina, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky already out, the Arsenal bench was thin on attacking players.

Their absence paved the way for Joel Campbell's first Premier League start and the Costa Rican took his opportunity as he fired in firmly from Ozil's cross to add a final gloss to Arsenal's victory. Campbell’s performance showed that he has what it takes to be in the side and provides Wenger with cover for Walcott and Chamberlain until after the international break.

Whereas, in midfield, Wenger decided not to move Cazorla to the right flank as that could have disturbed the team’s rhythm.

#3 Goalless Gomis a worry for Swansea

Bafetimbi Gomis had scored the winner on both occasions as Swansea did the double over Arsenal last season. But he is currently in the midst of a barren spell.

The France international striker had failed to score in his previous six Premier League appearances and his loss of confidence was evident as he missed a glorious opportunity midway through the first half against Arsenal. Clean through after an incisive through ball from Jonjo Shelvey, Gomis hesitantly took the ball around Petr Cech and fell under the pressure of the goalkeeper's sliding challenge, appealing in vain for a penalty as Hector Bellerin cleared the ball at the last second.

Swansea are now without a win in four home league games (D2, L2); their worst run under current boss Garry Monk. Gomis has had a big role to play in all the games. Monk has put his faith in the Frenchman, but it is not paying off. With Eder on the bench, Monk will be tempted to give a start to the Portuguese forward when the Swans visit Norwich next weekend.

The Swans have now failed to score in consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since May 2013.

#4 Mesut Ozil assist? Check (x2)!

Mesut Ozil has now made more assists (22) than any other Premier League player since his debut in September 2013. Ozil once again proved why he is among the best playmakers in Europe at the moment.

After a first half where Ozil was never really present in the game, the German playmaker stepped up and was majestic for the away side. His corner kick for Giroud's opener was perfect and his overall contribution was immense. Ozil got himself two assists on the day as he also made the cross for Campbell to score.

Even late into the game, the German linked up well with Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla. The Gunners could have had two more goals had they taken their chances and Ozil could have had more assists to his name.

The German magician has been enjoying himself on the pitch and it can be seen from the numbers. He now has nine assists for the season which is the most for any player in Europe. Ozil has grown into his role as Arsenal's No.10 since joining from Real Madrid and he seems to be in the form of his life with the Gunners.

#5 Are Arsenal genuine title contenders?

Having had to withstand concerted Swansea pressure in the first half, Arsenal were transformed after the interval as they strolled to a convincing victory. They had failed to win any of their previous three meetings with the Swans, but Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical second 45 minutes which suggested they could sustain a serious title challenge.

The goal from Giroud at the start of the second half, which was also the 2,000th goal for the Gunners under Arsene Wenger, helped Arsenal get in front and set the pace for the rest of the half. Giroud nodded the goal from Mesut Ozil's corner and the rest of the second half was fairly comfortable for Wenger’s men as they maintained the possession and avoided giving away possession, unlike the first half.

What the result means for Arsenal is that they maintain their second spot behind Manchester City level on 25 points, bringing the goal difference down to only 4 between the two clubs. Only time will tell whether Arsenal can now be considered serious title contenders or not, especially when they face City in December.

Wenger on the league: "I won't talk too much about that. Lets focus on our game." #SCFCvAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 31, 2015