It has been a week and a half since the 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium between these two sides in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, which resulted in this replay which both sides could have done without.
While Arsenal have stuttered since then, with the very disappointing defeat to Man City, Swansea have beaten Chelsea 2-0 away from home, and gained a creditable draw at Everton. So it is fair to say that Swansea are the form team coming into this 3rd round replay.
Team News
As reported earlier in the week, Mikel Arteta will miss the game, which will be a huge blow for the Gunners, especially as we do not have any other like for like replacements. The player most likely to deputise again is Abou Diaby, who, surprisingly, isn’t injured after his comeback on Sunday after three months out injured.
Following his red card on Sunday, Laurent Koscielny will miss out on the match through suspension, so Mertesacker will most likely deputise, in what we can expect to be a strong Arsenal side.
Swansea, meanwhile, do not have any fresh worries ahead of the game, and have boosted their squad with the addition of winger Roland Lamah on loan from Osasuna. However, with Swansea on the verge of making the final of the Capital One Cup, there is hope that they could rest some key players, such as the prolific Michu, who now has 3 goals in two games against the Gunners.
Recent Meetings
Swansea have the edge over Arsenal in recent meetings, winning two games of the previous four between the two, while Arsenal have managed only one victory against the Swans, in the pairs last 4 meetings.
Swansea also have the superior goal difference to Arsenal in the previous four meetings, having scored seven goals, compared to Arsenals five.
This only echoes the point that Arsenal fans already know; Swansea will be no push over.
Predicted Line-up
Due to the nature of this being a musts win game for Arsenal we can expect a strong side starting.
Szczesny; Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Diaby, Wilshere, Cazorla; Podolski, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Result
This will again be a close game, and could go to extra-time, which would be something both sides could do without. However, with it being at the Emirates, and Swansea having one eye on the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg next week, I reckon Arsenal could just sneak it on the night.
The winner of the tie wins a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion in the 4th round of the cup, which again will not be easy, with Brighton having knocked Newcastle out earlier.
Let’s hope that we can progress, as this is realistically our only hope of silverware (if you don’t include fourth place), and finally get 2013 started.
Also, just a quick reminder to fans that the match is kicking off earlier than usual at 7:30pm.
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