Angel Rangel rues costly Swansea 'mistake' at Arsenal

Angel Ranger holds his head in his hands after Danny Graham's late miss

Angel Rangel insists his Swansea City team-mates must learn from "silly mistakes" as they contributed to their own downfall in defeat at Arsenal.

A Swans defensive howler gifted Andrey Arshavin Arsenal's eventual winner as keeper Michel Vorm's throw out hit Rangel's heel and into Arshavin's path.

"It was unfortunate, it was a mistake from both of us," Swansea right-back Rangel admitted to BBC Sport."

"And another lesson we have to learn. It was a silly mistake."

The Premier League newcomers impressed at The Emirates Stadium and a Stephen Caulker goal-line clearance prevented Arsenal's Theo Walcott from scoring as Swansea aimed for their third successive clean sheet.

But a blunder from Dutchman Vorm, whose early-season displays had won plaudits since his summer switch from FC Utrecht, cost the Swans what would have been a valuable point.

Vorm tried a quick roll out on the right of his area, only to hit the heels of defender Rangel which left Arshavin to stroke the loose ball into the empty net from a tight angle.

The Russian's goal just before half-time gave the Gunners their first league win of the season and denied Swansea their first Premier League points on the road.

"It was a quick one," explained Rangel afterwards.

"Michel got the ball and he tried to pass to Nathan Dyer.

"But I was walking across and unfortunately it touched my ankle and it went to Arshavin and he has that quality to finish.

"I thought we were defending well for the first 40 minutes but if you give a player like that a chance, he will score.

"It was an unfortunate goal that decided the game but I thought we played well and had chances but the shame is that we didn't take them."

Swansea are yet to score in their opening four Premier League games.

And a Swans player has not yet found the target this season as their only goal in their Carling Cup shock at Shrewsbury was when Shane Cansdell-Sherriff put through his own net.

"The lack of goals is always concerning," said Rangel. "But we don't have to be that worried.

"There would be a problem if we didn't create chances but we are."

Striker Danny Graham missed two chances while Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny tipped Scott Sinclair's free-kick onto the crossbar as Swansea tried to give Brendan Rodgers a lift.

The Swansea manager missed the match as he returned to Northern Ireland following the death of father Malachy in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Rodgers' management team of Colin Pascoe and Alan Curtis took charge first team-team affairs in his absence.

"It is a sad time for Brendan and his family but we were aware of the situation and the players were prepared for the game," said Curtis.

"Brendan left to join his father last night [Friday] and thankfully he was at his bedside when he passed away."