please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Venue: Liberty Stadium Sunday, November 9th 2014 KO Time: 16.00 BST please log in to view this image Head to Head Against Swansea City: Played: 12 Wins: 6 Draws: 2 Losses: 4 Goals For: 16 Goals Against: 16 Goal Difference: 0 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 2-2 Swansea City Swansea City 1-2 Arsenal Swansea City 0-2 Arsenal Arsenal 1-0 Swansea City (FA Cup Replay) Swansea City 2-2 Arsenal (FA Cup) Arsenal 0-2 Swansea City please log in to view this image Starting XI: please log in to view this image Bench: Martinez BellerÃn Rosický Wilshere Podolski Walcott Sanogo
If Arteta is fit, he has to play. With Flamini we lose our shape far too much. And Monreal just makes too many mistakes at CB. Bellerin will as well, but at least he'll improve and be useful in the future.
Arteta is out until after Internationals. Flamini doesn't know how to keep shape but he was also hampered by his partner CM, Ramsey, not doing his defensive duties, which is why I dropped him for Wilshere. I think it'll be a close game that we'll barely edge out.
Swansea v Arsenal promises to be a passing fest, but similar teams often cancel each other out and the game can be less of a spectacle than anticipated. Arsenal's season has spluttered so far, but after a 3-0 win against Burnley and leading 3-0 against Anderlecht I had the Gunners coming into this game in high spirits - but a second half Anderlecht comeback put a spanner in the works. On paper Arsenal have a superior team, drooling with quality up front although looking a bit shaky at the back. The Swans have been playing well in patches this season and need a 90 minute performance to ensure a three point return. My head says a draw, but my heart says a 2-0 win for the Swans - so 2-0 it is!
Our games against you lot always tend to be quite the challenge and I can't see anything but a challenge here as well. It looks on paper to be an entertaining technical fest so I'm quite looking forward to it. I'm going for 1-2 the Arsenal though.
Going to be a tough visit to Swansea this, they are doing well and we look clueless defensively. Please, please, please Wenger don't play Monreal at CB for ****s sake ! Chambers in the middle and Bellerin on the right. Bonstar mentioned it on another thread but I'd consider playing a 4321 with Flamini, Wilshere and Ramsey in the middle, with Ox and Sanchez sitting just behind Welbeck.
I reckon Welbeck will score cuz he knows giroud is back after the international break. He wants to keep his spot. a fiver on that bet
I think wenger likes a settled defence and will continue with monreal at cb for now. Though I'd rather see chambers in the middle and bellerin out wide.
Welbeck seems to always be working hard but the impending return of 'the unit' should be extra incentive to find the back of the net.
I think our defense might actually be ok in this game. Swansea are a passing team rather than a sit deep and counter with pace kind of team and that will suit our make shift back line who seem to crumble against high tempo attacking play. Though with Arteta out I can see our defense being put under more pressure. Flamini and whoever he is paired with in the middle need to give better cover than in previous games. While our back line is so unsettled the two midfield players really have to step up in there defensive duties. Last season we had banks of four in place very quickly when other teams tried to come at us, now it seems to take an age to get any sort of shape. This will be key to us getting a win along with our wide players putting in a good shift. I'm pleased Walcott is available to come on later in the game against tired legs and help maintain the constant running we will need. If we can keep a better shape, get back properly and flamini doesn't create chaos, I'm confident the attacking players we have available will be enough to get goals and the win.
My team: ----------------Szcz------------ Bellerin---mert--chambers--Gibbs --------flamini----Ramsey------ Oxocube----Sanchez----Cazorla --------------Welbeck------------ Subs: Martinez, monreal, wilshere, rosicky, Walcott, Campbell, podolski But I think monreal will play at cb with chambers at rb.
I think the poster who said that Arsenal don't do well against teams who counter attack quickly is spot on. Trouble is, we're capable of doing that but have shown a reluctance in executing it and have been far too ponderous imo. For that reason I'm going for an Arsenal win 0-2
It'll be interesting to see if Wenger sticks with Ramsey after having a go at him today, or if he plays Wilshere instead. Hopefully Ramsey knuckles down and works harder and this leads to him rediscovering his form.
I also have a sneaking suspicion that Walcott will start, not sure why, except that Wenger will want him fit for the Man U match and he keeps talking about Walcott needing gametime.
That as well! TBH Hodgson has chosen a few players who are just coming back from injury in his squad, could be a risk.
