Confidence isn’t high at the Emirates in the wake of the recent run of results at the club. The loss to Barcelona wasn’t much of a surprise but losing to that second-string Manchester United team raised a lot of questions about the team’s ability and potential for this season’s Premier League title. However, the manager has stated that the team can be motivated by the heavy criticism they have been receiving.
The Gunners cause was helped yesterday when stubborn West Brom went to the King Power Stadium and earned a hard-fought point. It was a rather nervy and tense affair but they held their nerve to put the Foxes at bay. Despite dropping points, there was a lot to be admired about the way Leicester never gave up and kept trying – something we didn’t see from the Gunners last week Sunday at Old Trafford.
Today, Arsenal hosts Swansea with a chance to close the gap on Leicester to three points. With half an eye on the weekend’s clash against Tottenham in the North London Derby, the Gunners would want to ensure that they play to their full potential while hoping on fellow London outfit, West Ham, to do them a favor against Tottenham.
The game against Swansea is always know for being a drab affair in the first half before coming to life in the second half. In the last nine meetings between Arsenal and Swansea, both sides have four wins apiece and sharing the spoils once but it’s also worth noting that two of Swansea’s last wins have come at the Emirates.
Arsenal Team News
Wenger has confirmed that he would need to be cautious with Danny Welbeck, as the English forward just returned to full fitness after a 10-month layoff. Welbeck has a good record against Swansea, scoring three in his last four against the Welsh outfit. The manager also confirmed the lengthy absence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that suffered a knee injury against Barcelona last week.
“[He will be out for] six for eight weeks. No surgery. We feared surgery at some stage before we saw the MRI. In the end we got, on that front, positive news.”
The manager believes that he will be fit enough for the Euros though.
Arsenal Injury / Suspension News
Jack Wilshere (ankle), Santi Cazorla (knee), Tomas Rosicky (thigh), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Carl Jenkinson (knee)
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Swansea Team News
The Swans put up a spirited display against Tottenham with Lukasz Fabianski making a plethora of saves but in the end, they suffered yet another loss that has seen the Swans languishing in 16th place and they are flirting with relegation. Since Francesco Guidolin took over from Garry Monk, he has been trying to steady the boat but from all indications, I believe that Swansea has what it takes to remain in the Premier League.
Swansea Injury / Suspension News
No first team injuries / suspensions.
Swansea Predicted Lineup
Team Form
Arsenal
- Last Five Games: D W D L L
- Last Result: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal
- Leading Goalscorer: Olivier Giroud (18)
Swansea
- Last Five Games: W D D L L
- Last Result: Tottenham 2-1 Swansea
- Leading Goalscorer: Andre Ayew (8)
Gooner Daily predicts a 3 – 0 win.
Sayonara.
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