Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski produced a brilliant rearguard display against his former side as the Swans stunned Arsenal with a 1-0 win at the Emirates.
The Pole, who left the Emirates for Wales last summer, frustrated his former employers throughout as Swansea kept their faint Europa League hopes alive with a third straight win.
Fabianski denied Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott with a brilliant doublt save before substitute Bafetimbi Gomis netted the winner five minutes from time with a header that crept just over the line.
Swansea’s victory clinched a league double over Arsenal and inflicted the Gunners’ first defeat in the league since losing to Tottenham in early February.
Arsenal began brightly, and Olivier Giroud nearly capped a flowing move but his header looped onto the roof of the net.
Swansea, who began without a recognised striker, then settled into the game, setting up to frustrate their hosts and utilise the pace of Nathan Dyer and Jefferson Montero on the counter attack.
Jonjo Shelvey brought a couple of straight forward saves out of David Ospina, and Montero then dragged a shot wide on the stroke of half time after shrugging off a feeble challenge.
The Gunners were much more potent after the break but found Fabianski in inspired form on his first return to the Emirates, denying Giroud after a fine move involving Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
The Pole was showing Arsene Wenger what he was missing, and pulled off a brilliant double save from Sanchez and then substitute Theo Walcott – although the latter probably should have done better.
The Swans then provided the sting in the tail, as substitute Gomis’ header crept in at the back post, with the officials requiring the assistance of goal line technology to confirm the 85th minute strike.
Fabianski and his defence remained resolute in the dying moments, and the Gunners' defeat means the race to avoid fourth place and a Champions League qualifiyng play-off remains alive.
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