Premier League Preview: Swansea vs Arsenal 28.9.13

On the back of an impressive 8 victories in a row, Arsenal now faces arguably the toughest test they have faced so far this season. Aside from the loss to Aston Villa Arsenal have won every game including S**** at home and Fenerbahce away, now it’s time to take on the in-form men from Wales, at a ground where they’ve had their problems in recent seasons. Facing Swansea at the Liberty Stadium is one of the toughest fixtures of the season and it makes it even harder when you are missing attacking options such as Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski and Chamberlain. So far Arsenal have dealt with the injuries quite well, but will we be about to see some tired legs kick in, in what would be Arsenal’s 10^th match in 6 weeks?

Swansea like Arsenal kicked off their campaign with a home defeat, their loss however came at the hands of RVP and co, and they also lost their second game away against S****. Since those opening defeats, Swansea finds themselves on a nice 3 game unbeaten streak in the League. 7 points from their first 5 games, after already facing United, S**** and Liverpool, I’m sure Laudrup would’ve taken that if given to him at the start of the season.

Swansea have managed to keep hold of Michu for this season and have added their £12m man Wilifred Bony up front, along with Jonjo Shelvey from Liverpool and relatively unknown Spaniards; Amat, Canas and Pozuelo, the latter two have both impressed thus far and look like good signings. With the quality Swansea already have with Pablo Hernandez, Ashley Williams, Chico, Angel Rangel etc, Swansea will be looking to push on from their impressive 9^th place finish last term.

Last season Arsenal played Swansea 4 times, twice in the League and twice in the FA Cup after the 3^rd round tie went to a replay. The first fixture last season ended in a shock 2-0 victory to Swansea at the Emirates, as an out of sorts Arsenal got beaten late on by a Michu brace on the counter.

Arsenal then visited the Liberty Stadium a month later in the FA Cup, and yet again Michu put Arsenal to the sword, late goals from Podolski and Gibbs seemed to have put the Gunners through, until an 87^th minute equaliser from Danny Graham took the tie to a replay.

The replay was a strange tie, Arsenal played with renewed confidence and Swansea hardly looked at the races. Arsenal did everything but score in the first 85 minutes, until Jack Wilshere popped up and scored the winner as Arsenal deservedly booked their place in the next round.

2 months later Arsenal visited the Liberty Stadium, for their 4th game with the Swans and Arsenal came away with an impressive 2-0 victory, which was the first league win of the impressive end of season comeback. 2 late goals from Monreal and Gervinho made this possible.

Last 5 meetings

Swansea 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-0 Swansea

Swansea 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 0-2 Swansea

Swansea 3-2 Arsenal

Factfile

• In the last 4 meetings between both sides, all 9 goals have come in the second half of the game.
• A victory for Arsenal would be their 12^th away victory in a row in all competitions.
• Swansea hasn’t won at home in the League since March (8 games).
• Swansea and Arsenal have met in total of 10 times, with Arsenal victorious in 5, Swansea 4 and 1 draw.
• Swansea has failed to score in 4 of their last 7 Premier League games. 4 of Arsenal’s 5 league games this season have ended 3-1.
• The last time Arsenal failed to score away from home in the Premier League was in November 2012 with a 0-0 draw against Villa.
• Arsenal has only conceded 4 goals from non-penalty situations so far this season, 4 goals coming from penalty situations. 

Injuries

Arsenal look likely to field the same line up that faced Sunderland last weekend, depending on late fitness tests to Ramsey and Flamini but both should make it. Arteta is also doubtful, but could be in the squad. Swansea has doubts over both Hernandez and Williams, the latter is likely to be available, and Hernandez may miss out.

Possible starting XI

Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Flamini, Wilshere, Özil, Gnabry, Giroud

Gnabry should get his 3^rd start in a row on the right hand side, but after playing 120 minutes on Wednesday and looking rather leggy in the penalty shootout, Miyaichi and Akpom could well be needed from the bench. The only other to play 120 mins on Wednesday was Mertesacker, everybody else has had a week off so should be fresh.

If Arsenal put in an away performance like we have come to expect from them over the past 6 months then I see nothing but an Arsenal victory. My only worry is the lack of width, which we saw against Sunderland and at times against West Brom. Gnabry likes cutting in from the right and Wilshere almost becomes a second CAM, which leaves us very narrow and makes chances difficult to come by. Michu, likened to Bergkamp earlier this week by Wenger, will have to be kept on a leash, if you stop Michu, you stop Swansea creating chances. Koscielny and Mertesacker will have their hands full with Bony, but should come through providing they concentrate fully for the 90mins.

Lewbob’s prediction

Swansea 1-2 Arsenal

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