Danny Welbeck missed the best chance of the first 45 minutes as Arsenal and Swansea City played out a quiet 0-0 half-time draw at the Liberty Stadium.

Welbeck found himself with one of few goalscoring opportunities in the first half after firing straight at Lukas Fabianski late on following slick build-up play.

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The clash sparked to life on 20 minutes after a tentative start when Wilfried Bony looked to have a strong penalty appeal waved away by referee Phil Dowd.

Moments later, Jefferson Montero beat right-back Calum Chambers and almost caught out goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny at his near post but the Pole palmed it away.

The Gunners slowly but surely grew into the game but Arsene Wenger's side struggled to fashion anything in front of goal, with a blocked shot from Aaron Ramsey the bulk of their first-half chances.

It took 35 minutes before the game threw up a clear goalscoring opportunity, as Bony released Marvin Emnes - making his first Swans start - but the Dutchman blasted a shot straight at Szczesny.

Arsenal should have moved ahead on 43 minutes when Welbeck fired straight at Fabianski after a neat one-two, while Ramsey - a former Cardiff City youth - almost silenced the Swansea boo boys at the death with a volley that just missed the post.