Swansea City vs. Arsenal
FA Cup Third Round
Kickoff: Sunday, January 6, 8:30 AM EST
An FA cup fixture that Arsenal wished they have avoided some how. Swansea host Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium in the 3rd round fixture of the competition as they hope to beat the Gunners for the second time this season. Arsenal on the other hand are left only with the FA cup for winning a silverware as they have lost out to Bradford in the Carling cup and have a pretty tough fixture in the champions league against Bayern Munich.
After an impressive run of form off late, Arsenal drew their game in the mid-week fixture against Southampton and hit a new road block on their way back to top 4. A win today away from home will not only mean advancement to the next round, but a major confidence booster ahead of a tough January for the Gunners. The last time these two sides met, Swans thumped a 2-0 victory at Emirates thanks to Michu who will the man to watchout tonight. Arsenal will have to rely heavily on in-form Walcott to find the nets as Arsene Wenger is expected to make some rotations bringing in Rosicky and Ramsey to the starting line-up.
Watchout for this fellowMichael Laudrup’s men will come into the match on the back of a point they salvaged from the Villa game coming from behind to end the match 2-2. Talking to the press ahead of the game, the managers said:
Michael Laudrup: “We are going into a very interesting week. We play three games in six days, in three different competitions. But we must take one game at a time, starting with Arsenal on Sunday. It will be a tough game, but we are at home which is very important. We know what to expect from them having played a few weeks ago, but I expect them to play a strong team.”
Arsene Wenger: “We play at Swansea; it’s a difficult tie, but of course we want to come out on top. The FA Cup is something special because it is exciting, it is watched all over the world. It has a special history in England and I have always respected that. I am always sad when we don’t win it or when we go out. We will put our maximum effort in on Sunday to win the game.”
Team News and Injury news:
Arsenal have done early business this time as Marouane Chamakh and Johan Djourou has been shipped put to West Ham and Hannover 96. So Arsenal are left with Giroud up-front but it is up-to Wenger to decide if he starts him or continues using England International Walcott as a make shift forward. Other than that Rosicky and Ramsey should feature in the midfield along with Coquelin. Sagna who has been poor recently will be replaced by Jenkinson.
For the Swans Danny Graham is expected to lead the line for the home side, with danger man Michu providing support in the final third.
Injury News:
Arsenal have a great news this week as long term absentee Abou Diaby is back to full training but it available for selection today. The only injured players are backup keepers Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone which should not be a problem for Wenger.
Matchfacts:
- This will be the fourth FA Cup tie between Swansea and Arsenal, but the first since 1968. Swansea won the first meeting between the sides in 1926 but have since lost the last two.
- The Jacks have won their last two Premier League matches against Arsenal, 2-0 at the Emirates in December and 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium last January.
- In 19 previous FA Cup ties with teams from the same division, Swansea have progressed just four times and on neither occasion in the last three years.
- Arsenal haven’t failed to make the Fourth Round of the FA Cup since 1996.
Courtesy: Yahoo sport
Recent form
Swansea: LDDWD
Arsenal: DWWWD
Possible starting lineups
Swansea: Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Britton, De Guzman; Hernandez, Michu, Routledge; Graham
Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Cquelin, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Walcott
Prediction: 1-2 win for the sway side
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