Football
ESPN staff 9y

Garry Monk: Swansea 'character' key to comeback victory vs. Arsenal

Swansea manager Garry Monk was delighted with his side's resolve as they came from behind to record a 2-1 Premier League victory over Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners went ahead through a 63rd-minute strike from Alexis Sanchez, though a quick-fire brace from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis turned the game around to hand the Swans all three points.

Monk feels the belief within his squad was a big factor in the comeback win, and praised the team's mentality as the win sends them fifth in the table.

"We talked about belief before the game, as a group, and how good we've been, and how much better we can be and we keep on going until the very end," he said. "I think that's one of the first times this season we've come from behind and it just shows that character we've got within in the squad.

"We've had a few injuries this week, which haven't helped, but it just shows you how together the group are and whoever steps in does very well and they deserved that win in the end."

Monk brought Gomis on in the 76th minute and was happy that  tactic paid off, adding: "They got the goal and fortunately for us it was quite an even game. We made the changes and sometimes they go for you and sometimes they don't but thankfully they went for us today.

"If anybody deserved that Bafi deserved his goal, he's been working very hard and been patient in training and obviously with Bony doing well -- I'm pleased for him.

"I can't grumble, it was quite an even game, looking at the stats. We took our chances and deserved the win.

"We beat Manchester United on the first day -- one of the big teams -- and we just beat Arsenal. We take each game as it comes and keep improving."

Swansea captain Ashley Williams went down on more than one occasion on Sunday with injury concerns, but told told Sky Sports 1: "[We're] over the moon -- there's nothing better when you feel like this, you're tired, you've got bumps and bruises but you got the points at the end.''

Sigurdsson scored a fine free kick to level the game and was pleased to notch his seventh goal of the season, adding: "Gomis came on and changed the game so with a little bit of luck we got there in the end.

"It made [scoring] special as we came back from 1-0 down and in the second half. It was a fantastic game and well done to the lads for coming back."

The midfielder has now scored vital goals against the Gunners and Manchester United this season, and added: "Arsenal and Man Utd, two goals -- it's fantastic -- but it's about winning the game, we got the three points today so we're going home happy.''

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