Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from their 8-2 mauling by Man United as Swansea make their way to the Emirates. Arsene Wenger has boosted the Gunners ranks with a number of signings and will be looking for a response against the newly-promoted side. Swansea have failed find the net in their three games so far and will fancy their chances against a home side low on morale.
Likely Line-Ups
Andre Santos and Per Mertersacker look set to make their debuts for the Gunners in a new-look back-four. Thomas Vermaelen is out for around a month following ankle surgery, though Bacary Sagna has recovered from illness and will slot into his usual right-back position, with Carl Jenkinson suspended after two yellow cards at Old Trafford. Emmanuel Frimpong has served a one-match suspension and will return in central midfield, while Mikel Arteta is also likely to make his Arsenal debut. Arsene Wenger was dealt a blow with the news that Jack Wilshere is out for two to three months with a continued ankle problem, meaning Aaron Ramsey or Thomas Rosicky should partner Frimpong in the centre of the park.
Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has more of a settled side. Wayne Routledge should continue in the starting XI and regular left-back Neil Taylor starts his second game in a row after serving a suspension at the start of the season. Vice-captain Alan Tate is out for around six months for the visitors after breaking his leg in a bizarre golf buggy accident. The brilliance of keeper Michel Vorm will be vital to the visitor’s chances- the Dutchman has picked up 2 WhoScored man of the match awards already and can expect to be busy yet again.
Key Battles
Bacary Sagna v Scott Sinclair
While Arsenal are heavy favourites for the Emirates clash, they’re still recovering from the eight goals conceded at Old Trafford and come up against a Swansea side more than capable of frustrating with possession- the Swans have averaged 61% so far this season, second only to Chelsea (66%). With half a new defence likely to start and Thomas Vermaelen out injured, Bacary Sagna will be a key figure for the Gunners tomorrow; up against Scott Sinclair, his influence on the new-look back-four will be crucial.
Of all the Gunners players likely to start tomorrow, Sagna is the most impressive for tackles (2.3). Sinclair has been dispossessed 1.3 times per game, the least of Swansea’s attackers and will need to maintain this level up against the Frenchman. When it comes to interceptions, Sagna is again the best of Arsenal’s starting XI- he’s averaged 3.5 and with Sinclair making just 0.3 key passes per game, the left winger looks like he’s in for a tough time when looking to create chances.
Swansea may not have scored, but it’s clear they’ve had plenty chances. Sinclair has averaged 2 shots per game, second only to Danny Graham (3). Sagna has failed to block a shot as of yet and will need to close Sinclair down quick as he looks to fire off an attempt on goal. The Swansea man has been top for successful dribbles (3) per game but Sagna has yet to been beaten by a dribble and this will be a crucial part of their head-to-head. The Gunners player has the higher WhoScored rating, 7.12 to 6.61, but Sinclair looks capable of giving him a real test.
Robin Van Persie v Ashley Williams
Robin Van Persie is also a main figure in determining Arsenal’s chances. The Dutchman scoredat Old Trafford in the previous league game and comes into the match in strong form- he netted four times for Holland in the 11-0 win over San Marino last week. Ashley Williams had a slow start to the season- his error gave Man City a goal in the opener, then conceded a penalty at Wigan, but his overall stats are better than central defensive partner Steven Caulker and suggest he is likely to have the best chance of snuffing out Van Persie’s threat.
The Gunner ‘s skipper has averaged 2.3 shots, the highest tally of any home player- Williams has blocked an average of 2 shots, far superior to Caulker (0.3). Van Persie has been fairly average creatively, making 1.3 key passes and Williams has impressed with interceptions (2.3)- he will need to continue this sort of form.
Williams has been beaten by 0.7 dribbles per game, the best tally of the Swansea defence, while Van Persie’s game means he tends not to make many successful dribbles (0.7) as he drops deep and drifts wide to link up with the midfield, though has been dispossessed 2.7 times per game. Williams’ interceptions and blocks mean his tackles per game (1) is relatively low, though he has made 4.7 clearances per game, another example of his importance in the Swansea back-four. Van Persie has a WhoScored rating of 6.44 so far and Williams –due to his above-mentioned early errors- has just 5.92 to his name. The Dutchman will surely play a major part tomorrow though and if he somehow fails to score, Williams will consider it a job well done.
