Ian Rush says the Swans play in the same vein as Arsenal in a huge compliment to the club

Rush was speaking after watching the Swans knock local rivals Cardiff City out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

He spoke to the Western Mail and said “Swansea played in the identical vein as Arsenal

“At times they overplayed, looking for that perfect goal. But that was a measure of the confidence they had about them when the ball was at their feet.

“There were times when Swansea should have had a shot at goal, but they passed and that is what Arsenal do at their level.

“Swansea had so much ability on the ball they were waiting for the Cardiff players to just dive in and concede free-kicks in dangerous areas, which is exactly how the winning goal came.

“They were clever and that’s typical of what foreign players do. They draw in the opposition, knowing their British counterparts cannot resist a dig to get the ball back. That is exactly how Arsenal, with their foreign players, play the game too.

“Swansea, like Arsenal, used their wide men very well. They stretched Cardiff because the players in the centre of midfield were so good and so quick at passing the ball.

“I thought the football that was played was a good advert for Welsh football and Swansea fully deserved to win.

“They were very patient in what they did and kept the ball for much bigger periods than Cardiff, even though for the first 15 minutes or so Cardiff were the better team and should have taken the lead.

“But once they permitted Swansea a bit of space, the tide turned totally.

“Cardiff are not a bad footballing side, but once they conceded the space Swansea made them look very ordinary and took control of the proceedings.

“The two teams like to play football, but to me Cardiff looked more the workhorses rather than the polished outfit Swansea were.

“Having listened to Dave Jones stating that it is the first game they have lost this season, obviously they have been playing a lot better recently than the other night.

“I think that come January when the pitches are much different Cardiff may be that bit stronger in the Championship then Swansea.

“The pitch at Swansea the other night suited the home team better with their passing game, but Martinez’s team will not be playing on such a good surface like that every week.

“The tempo was high but Cardiff could not sustain the momentum they started with and seemed to tire towards the end.

“I do think the league game in November will be totally different.

“Dave Jones would have learnt a heck of lot from the other night’s performance and the only thing he will have to tell his players is to just remember how they were a few weeks earlier when they lost the derby.

“I think it will have hurt Cardiff, who will have more to offer on another day, especially in the Championship.”

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