Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson has branded Arsenal's performance in their 2-1 defeat to Swansea City in the Premier League on Wednesday night "absolutely appalling".

The Gunners entered the match looking to recover from a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United at the weekend, but goals from Wayne Routledge and Ashley Williams won it for the Welsh team.

Thompson claimed that Arsene Wenger's side were "alright" in the first half, but blasted their second-half performance.

"Was it as bad as the game at Old Trafford? Absolutely. They were alright in the first half - but only alright - and scored. They were dominating the game until, against the run of play, Routledge scored for Swansea," Thompson told Sky Sports News.

"In the end, Swansea deserved this. Arsenal were poor. Do people go overboard about Arsenal? No they don't. This was shocking.

"I can't remember [Lukasz] Fabianski making any sort of save in the second half. This is at home. This is at the Emirates. This is them trying to go for the title. It was an absolutely appalling second-half performance."

Arsenal are six points off the league leaders Leicester City ahead of Saturday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.