Planet Swans ArchivesLeon Britton reflects back on Swansea’s epic victory over Arsenal at the Liberty
Britton was a Swansea City player nine years ago this week when they were bottom of the football league and Arsenal were at the very top of the Premier League highlighting just how incredible it was that the two sides met on Sunday let alone the Swans winning.
Add to that the fact that Arsenal sold Britton as a 16 year old to West Ham and you would excuse a permanent grin on Britton’s face if there was one.
Britton said: “It’s a statement of intent from us.
“This result is going to make people sit up and take notice, especially as it was on TV and in front of so many people.
“All clubs do their homework on opposition and I’m sure people do their homework on us and the way we play, but beating a team like Arsenal will definitely make people take more notice of us.
said: “It’s nice to get one over on Arsenal after I spent seven years there as a young lad. But it’s nicer to beat a team of their stature. They’re a massive club and we just wanted to beat one of the top teams.
“It was a great game to play in. It’s a great occasion for the club to beat one of the top four teams,” said Britton, who completed 71 of his 81 passes against Arsenal.
“In the last three games we drew with Spurs and could have beaten them, beaten Aston Villa away and now beaten to Arsenal. We’ve had a great start to the year”
Sunday’s game was watched by England head coach Fabio Capello, rumoured to be casting his eye over potential stars from the England squad as well as Theo Walcott said: “It’s nice of him to come and look at us here in South Wales.
“I don’t see why they couldn’t (play for England). They’re playing regular football, performing well and scoring goals for a team in the top half of the Premier League so why not give them a chance?”
