Swansea City vs Arsenal. Premier League.
Swansea.com StadiumAttendance20,937.
Saturday 31 October 2015 09:54, UK
Title-chasing Arsenal travel to South Wales on Saturday hoping for a first win in four over Swansea.
The Swans are unbeaten in their last three Premier League meetings with Arsenal, after losing three of the five before that, and represent a serious threat to the Gunners' title challenge.
After making a stuttering start to the season, Arsenal have put together a run of four straight league victories to see them sit second on goal difference to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, but injuries once again are threatening to derail their chances of securing their first title in 12 years.
Swansea started the season in fine form, with new signing Andre Ayew particularly impressing, but a run of just one win in seven has seen them slip down the table.
However, that success came last time out at Aston Villa, with Ayew again the match winner, and Garry Monk will be hoping his side can resurrect their early season form against a depleted Arsenal.
Team news
Swansea are at full strength after Federico Fernandez was cleared over his Villa Park clash with Micah Richards.
Argentina defender Fernandez tangled with Aston Villa's Richards in the first half of Swansea's 2-1 win last weekend but the Football Association ruled in midweek that neither player had committed an act of violent conduct.
Wideman Wayne Routledge has returned to training this week after a calf problem as Swansea seek to build on their first victory in six Premier League games.
Arsenal will be without forward Theo Walcott (calf) as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey (both hamstring). Costa Rica international Joel Campbell is expected to be given his opportunity on the right flank.
Captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) also misses out and goalkeeper David Ospina (shoulder) is still not available. Midfielder Jack Wilshere (fibula), forward Danny Welbeck and Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky (both knee) all continue their rehabilitation.
Opta stats
The Gunners have scored on each of their four Premier League visits to Liberty Stadium (W2 L2).
Bafetimbi Gomis scored the winning goal in both of Swansea's meetings with Arsenal last season in the Premier League.
Swansea have picked up just one win from their last six top-flight games (D2 L3), although that victory did come last time out; 2-1 at Aston Villa.
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League away games (0-2 v Chelsea), winning nine and drawing one.
Garry Monk's side are without a win in three home league games (D2 L1); their worst run since last February (also three games). They've never gone four without a victory at home under their current boss.
Arsenal have scored 1999 goals in all competitions under Arsene Wenger.
Merson's prediction
One thing's for sure, Arsenal won't field the same side that played at Sheffield Wednesday! Trips to the Liberty Stadium are hard for Arsenal, but Swansea aren't setting things alight and I don't know how they're going to live with the movement of Sanchez and Ozil. In the league, Arsenal are flying and they'll continue that form on Saturday.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3
Betting
Arsenal are odds-on at 8/11 with Sky Bet for the victory as Swansea go up against odds of 7/2, while the draw is priced at 14/5. Olivier Giroud is the 7/2 favourite to score first in Theo Walcott's absence, while Bafetimbi Gomis considered the hosts' main threat at 15/2 to break the deadlock. The Soccer Saturday pundits have submitted their Sky Bet tips, with both Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas backing a 2-1 home win at 7/1, while Matt Le Tissier fancies a reverse scoreline at 12/1.
