It took a wonder strike at the end of 86 minutes of frustration, but Arsenal were victorious on Wednesday and will head to the fourth round of the FA Cup, thanks to Jack Wilshere's goal in a 1-0 win over Swansea City. The Gunners had more chances and more possession than their opponents, as per usual, but it took a brilliant half-volley to win the match.
Arsenal vs. Swansea City: Final score 1-0, Gunners through in FA Cup
Jack Wilshere was the clear man of the match even before his game-winning strike, which was simply the cherry on top of a masterful performance by the Arsenal midfielder.
Kyle Bartley had the first chance of the game on a cross by Wayne Routledge, but missed the chance to score for Swansea against his former team and hit the crossbar. Arsenal's best chance of the first half came during stoppage time, on a corner that probably shouldn't have been given, when Michel Vorm made an excellent kick save on Thomas Vermaelen.
Arsenal played slowly and struggled to create chances in the first half, but were much more lively in the second half. They were unlucky not to score in the 62nd minute, when Vorm saved a shot by Wilshere and Theo Walcott's subsequent follow-up attempt was blocked off the line by Danny Graham.
The Gunners' poor luck continued deep into the half, with Walcott missing a number of decent chances and Olivier Giroud having a shot deflect off Wilshere, then cleared off the line by the Swans. Eventually, in the 86th minute, Wilshere found the breakthrough.
Santi Cazorla set up the move with a pass into the feet of Giroud, who played a brilliant first-touch layoff into the path of Wilshere. He wound up and smacked a powerful half-volley into the back of the net from 20 yards, sending Arsenal deservedly through to the next round.
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