Not going to the game today, here is a quick match thread ---- TEAM NEWS Swansea only have Neil Taylor, ruled out for the season with a fractured ankle, unavailable for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at the Liberty Stadium. Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby and left-back Andre Santos returned to training on Thursday following injuries. But having been absent for several weeks, they will be given time to build up their fitness. Emmanuel Frimpong, recently on loan at Charlton, could return despite missing training in midweek with illness. MATCH FACTS Head to head • Arsenal have won half of the 12 league and cup meetings with Swansea. The Swans have won five. • Two goals in the last two minutes from Michu stole all three Premier League points for the Swans at the Emirates Stadium on 1 December. The Welsh club have also won their most recent home match against the Gunners - 3-2 12 months ago. • Arsenal are hoping to complete a hat-trick of victories in the FA Cup, having ousted Swansea Town in the fourth round in 1950 on their way to winning the competition, and in 1968 they repeated the score away from home, at the same stage. Earlier, Swansea recorded a 2-1 home win in the 1926 quarter-finals. Swansea City • If Swansea are to qualify for the fourth round for the third season running, they will need to eliminate a Premier League club, which they have not done since defeating Portsmouth in the fourth round four years ago. • The Swans have already reached the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, and have twice qualified for the last four in the FA Cup (1926 and 1964), but have never appeared in the final itself. • They have found the net in their last 14 FA Cup matches, and failed to do so most recently in the fourth round against Ipswich in January 2007. Arsenal • Arsenal are the second most successful club in FA Cup history. Their 10 wins is eclipsed only by the 11 of Manchester United and their 17 appearances in the final, topped by United's 18. • Under Arsene Wenger, the Gunners have lifted the trophy four times; most recently in 2005. Since then they've been knocked out by Premier League clubs in each of the seven seasons, but they have also ended the interest of six fellow top-flight clubs, including Aston Villa in last season's fourth round. • Still involved in the Champions League, the sixth-placed Gunners are only three places better off than Swansea, but have won three and drawn one of their four outings since League Two Bradford City defeated them in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup last month. • The north London club have lost 99 matches in FA Cup history.
Swans: Michel Vorm, Dwight Tiendalli, Chico Flores, Kyle Bartley, Ben Davies, Leon Britton (capt), Ki Sung-Yueng, Jonathan de Guzman, Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer, Danny Graham. Subs: Gerhard Tremmel (gk), Garry Monk, Angel Rangel, Kemy Agustien, Pablo Hernandez, Itay Shechter, Michu. Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Keiran Gibbs, Mikel Arteta (capt), Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott. Subs: Damian Martinez (gk), Thomas Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski.
I have fox soccer over here. Interesting line-up for us. If DG thinks he is the real deal today is the day. Bartley gets to stop Walcott. Looks like we are saving the big guns for Chelsea and the way they have been playing probably a good idea.
Interesting line-up, yes. I think it is wise to give Michu a day of so he is fully fit for Chealsea. Not sure why Hernandez is not starting. Looking forward to see Kyle Bartley. I do fear we are going to loose the battle of the midfield. Let's hope Ki has a good game.
This is a bit of an anniversary for me. This fixture in Feb 1968 was my first time at the Vetch Field, stood in the enclosure, place was nuts!!!! Arsenal won 0-1 on a goal from Bobby Gould. Up the Swans!
interesting so far. Looks like we are the away team at times, soaking up their attacks and looking for the quick break or ball over the top. Bartley does look good, however midfield seems a little weak. Pleased we are also playing the ball forward a bit more in the last 10 minutes. the passing back was starting to irritate, especially when one came from a throw in mid way in their half.
I think we look good so far. Ki is playing better than in recent games. Danny is making a nuisance of himself and Bartley looks tidy. All good.
Bartley looks like he's been playing Prem for years. Relaxed, in control, easy and smooth when on the ball, very efficient in position. Ash had better get his act together if he wants to keep his place. Dyer not with it much today. Pablo for the second half please.
Bartley looks a cracking player. Shame Williams & Chico are so good! All those saying we need another centre back can calm down a bit. Ki playing one of his best games in a Swan shirt....looking forward to the 2nd half. Think we'll push-on....that said I thought that at half time in the Villa game as well :s
If he continues to progress as quickly during the 2nd half of the season its going to be an interesting battle between him and Taylor for that left back jersey.
