please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal travel to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Swansea City in the Premier League. Arsenal lost their last League game, which was against their bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane, so the Gunners know they can’t afford to drop many more points if they want to claim a place in the Champions League. In midweek, Arsenal travelled to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last 16 tie. After the first leg, it would have taken a miracle for Arsenal to make the last eight. in the end, they won 2-0 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud in the first five minutes, and a late Laurent Koscielny goal. Despite that fantastic result, it was not enough and in the end and the Gunners were again knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Arsenal players would have taken some confidence from their performance in Munich and it could help them ahead of the trip to Wales on Saturday afternoon. Swansea City have had one of the greatest season’s in their history after Michael Laudrup led them to their first major trophy after their victory over Bradford City in the League Cup final. They have also done well in the league and have secured their place in the Premier League with ease, they are currently in ninth place, and after winning the League Cup, they have already secured European football for next season. So, Swansea unlike Arsenal are in a comfortable position and their players can afford to relax and enjoy their football. This is the fourth time that Arsenal are meeting Swansea this season. Swansea shocked everyone by defeating and outplaying Arsenal at the Emirates in the league encounter. With two goals, Michu sunk the Gunners and Swansea recorded a famous victory over Arsenal. The two teams were then drawn in the third round of the FA Cup, and Arsenal had to face Swansea at the Liberty. After a thrilling 2-2 draw, Swansea had to face Arsenal at the Emirates in the replay. With their third attempt, Arsenal finally beat Swansea after Jack Wilshere struck a late winner. So both these teams should be familiar with each other as they meet for the fourth time this season on Saturday. After Brendan Rodgers left to join Liverpool in the summer, Swansea appointed Michael Laudrup as their new manager. Laudrup a great player had showed that he also had the potential to be a great manager with his work in La Liga with clubs like Getafe and Mallorca. Laudrup was a stylish attacking player and so far all his teams also play with that same style. So he was in many ways the perfect man for Swansea who under Roberto Martinez identified a way of playing that has seen them progress from League one to the Premiership. Laudrup has taken Swansea to another level this season, and has led them to their first major trophy. In the league, they are currently in ninth place and have had a steady season. Their win over Arsenal at the Emirates was arguably their best result and performance in the league. At home, Swansea have only lost twice all season, so getting a win away to Swansea is clearly going to be hard work for the Gunners. For £2 Million, Michu has looked like the buy of the summer transfer window. He was brought in from Rayo Vallecano and has slotted into a new league and country with such ease. In the league, he has fifteen league goals to his name and he is not even an out and out centre-forward. With his assured finishing, Michu has been the man that has led this Swansea team and the Spainard has already shown what he can do against the Gunners this season. Michu was not the only player that Swansea brought in from La Liga, Pablo Hernández and Jonathan de Guzmán have also come in from Spain. With Joe Allen leaving to join Liverpool with Bendan Rodgers in the summer, Swansea had the money to reinvest and they have invested wisely. Hernández has a cap for Spain and to get that amongst this current generation of Spanish players is no mean feat. In their win over Bayern Munich, Arsenal showed a new defensive organisation and that would have pleased every Arsenal fan. It showed that Arsenal had learned from their abject display against Tottenham and worked on their defence. Thomas Vermaeln and Wojciech Szczęsny were dropped for the game against Bayern as Arsene Wenger turned to Laurent Koscielny and Lukasz Fabianski and they did not let him down. Koscielny in particular was excellent and he has earned his place in the team. Despite beating Bayern Munich, Arsenal were not actually at their attacking best. Many of the forward players had off nights. Despite that, Olivier Giroud scored his first goal in six games and the Frenchmen must build on that. Lukas Podolski is a doubt ahead of the Swansea game, so is Bacary Sagna. Jack Wilshere has already been ruled out of the Swansea game. After his performance against Swansea in the FA Cup, the absence of Wilshere could prove to be crucial. Arsenal are five points behind Chelsea, and with ten games remaining in the season, the Gunners can’t afford another slip up. This game is massive and Wenger is going to need another big performance from his players. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Swansea City: Played: 14 Wins: 7 Draws: 2 Losses: 5 For: 18 Against: 18 GD: 0 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 1 - 0 Swansea City (FA Cup) Swansea City 2 - 2 Arsenal (FA Cup) Arsenal 0 - 2 Swansea City Swansea City 3 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 0 Swansea City Arsenal 2 - 1 Swansea City please log in to view this image Manager's Views: Arsene Wenger on Laurent Koscielny: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
I'm hoping Michu will have his scoring boots on for this game!......................... please log in to view this image
If we defend like we did on Wednesday, I think we can stop him this time. I am hoping that your boys are already thinking about their summer holidays. That would give us a decent chance.
Swansea don't have much to play for, won a cup, the cup ensures their place in Europe, come on Swans, don't put much an effort in, :-D.
So, only Gibbs is out from team that beat Bayern. Still no Podolski or Sagna either. Also for this game, Ramsey or Diaby?
It has to be Ramsey -playing well at the moment and there is no way that Diaby can be anywhere near match-fit mentally or physically..
Points make prizes so I hope they'll put the effort in, looking forward to another entertaining game (with the same result obviously)
Both teams will be desperate for three points. Arsenal, to pursue their aim of Champions League football, and the Swans to ensure their season doesn't whimper out. The Swans are still reeling after being hard done by the ref/linesman at WBA and will have all guns blazing at The Liberty. After a great win in Munich the Gunners may find the last 20 minutes tough, so I am going for a 2-0 win to the Swans
..............His legs will go to jelly, when he hears the Jack Army!....................... please log in to view this image
Any idea as to who's going to start in goal? I personally want Chez back in, i know Flappy played well against Bayern, but being dropped should be a wake up call for Szczesny.
its hardly a wake up call if he's put straight back in even after fabianski had a good game. let him sit it out until fabianski puts in a shocker, then bring him back. that would be a real wake up call
Which knowing Flappy will probably be today. Hoping he proves me wrong, he was surprisingly commanding against Bayern.
