It seems strange to think that Swansea did the impossible last season by winning both fixtures against Arsenal, but the fact is that they have been a bit of a bogey team for the Gunners ever since they first won promotion in 2011. They won their first ever home Premier League game against us, and have actually won half of our meetings (four out of eight).
The Polish keeper Lukasz Fabianski moved to the Swans last year and also has a 100% record against us and will be keen to keep up that run against his old club. He certainly played out of his skin against us last season. And another quirky little stat is that Gary Monk has faced Arsenal three times and has two wins and a draw to his name!
Monks team have not been so impressive this season though, and last week’s win over Aston Villa was their first after six winless games, and Monk is hoping that their slump has now been arrested. “We know that when we are at our best we can give anyone a game in this league and we’ll need to be at that level on Saturday,” he said.
“If we do that we are in with a chance of getting the result we want.
“Each team will have a period where they will suffer and it’s about how you deal with that. Winning games obviously breeds confidence but this group is very strong.
“Our effort and commitment is always there and it’s about continuing to do the right things and working hard on the training ground.
“It won’t define our season but it will help create belief which is key at this time.”
It is always dodgy meeting a supposed bogey team, but Arsene Wenger will just be looking for a composed performance without too much drama OR INJURIES, as we are getting short of bodies ahead of the midweek trip to Munich.
Surely lightening can’t strike three times in a row!