http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/18/article-0-0F78CB6400000578-408_468x335.jpgAccording to Andrey Arshavin, the Gunners failed to complete the job required to go on and win against Swansea City after Robin van Persie’s early strike.

The Russian, who gave an assisting pass to the Dutchman in that event, claims he advised his skipper and teammates to follow up the early goal by putting high pressure on their opponents whenever the Gunners lost possession – a tactic equivalent to that of Barcelona when they visited the Emirates stadium.

Please join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

But Arsenal failed to live up to Arshavin’s suggestion and at times even allowed their Welsh opponents to dominate them in possession in the manner which the Spanish giants did last year.

Arsenal’s Russian forward was a culprit for a disappointing away day himself, after a performance which saw him lose the ball on several occasions and misfire in front of goal before being substituted after only 18 minutes into the second-half.

But Arshavin claims his idea of how to maintain the lead against Swansea was not implemented by the Gunners on Sunday.

“After the goal I told him (Van Persie) and the guys that we had started the game well and so we should also press on for 10-15 minutes.” Arshavin said

“We should not have given Swansea an opportunity to play freely. Their team is well trained and well prepared. They immediately began creating problems for us when we ceased to put pressure on them.”

Arshavin’s contract at Arsenal will run out in June 2013, but Arsene Wenger has indicated that the Russian could be offloaded ahead of that time.

When asked whether Arshavin will be offered a new deal at the club, Wenger responded:

Be the first to receive breaking news about Arsenal!

β€œHe is a bit older than Van Persie! (whose contract will also expire in 2013).”