Arsenal were 'appalling' in second half against Swansea, says Phil Thompson

Phil Thompson described Arsenal's second-half display against Swansea as "appalling" and "shocking".

Arsene Wenger's side were looking to take advantage of Leicester's draw with West Brom on Tuesday and cut the gap to the Premier League leaders to three points by beating struggling Swansea.

But after taking the lead through Joel Campbell, goals from Wayne Routledge and Ashley Williams earned the visitors a 2-1 win at the Emirates, condemning the Gunners to their second defeat in two games.

Wenger had insisted the criticism he received after Sunday's 3-2 loss at Manchester United was not important, but Sky Sports pundit Thompson was damning in his assessment on Wednesday night.

This is at home. This is at the Emirates. This them trying to go for the title.

"Was it as bad as the game at Old Trafford? Absolutely," Thompson told Soccer Special.

"They were alright in the first half - but only alright - and scored. They were dominating the game until, against the run of play, Routledge scored for Swansea.

"In the end, Swansea deserved this. Arsenal were poor.

"Do people go overboard about Arsenal? No they don't. This was shocking.

"I can't remember Fabianski making any sort of save in the second half. This is at home. This is at the Emirates. This is them trying to go for the title.

"It was an absolutely appalling second-half performance."

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