I think we can all safely say that today’s Arsenal team will bear little relation to the motley crew that began Tuesday’s League Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, and we all know that our excellent First XI are looking for a fifth Premier League win in a row and can surely cope without The Ox and Theo Walcott for a few games.
As Wenger said on Arsenal.com: “It’s a different team,”
“What we want to focus on is the Premier League and I’ve said that many times. The Premier League team did not play on Tuesday night.
“It’s disappointing to lose two players and in a short period of time as well. One was linked with the other one because Theo would not have come on if Oxlade-Chamberlain was not injured. We have to cope with that but I think we have the strength in the squad to cope with it, even if it’s a blow.
“Apart from that we are on a very strong, positive run in the Premier League and we want to continue to grow and develop our position in the league. We know there’s a big game in front of us at Swansea, where it’s always difficult. Everybody likes the challenge to do well.”
Swansea are hardly setting the League alight this year, and the only worrying stat is that their manager Gary Monk has not lost in his three games against Wenger since he took over at the Swans, but if this Gunners team can take apart sides like Man United and Bayern Munich then they should be feeling confident going into this one.
With Walcott injured, the starting XI practically pick themselves. And here it is….
Giroud
Sanchez Ozil Campbell
Coquelin Cazorla
Monreal Koscielny Mertesacker Bellerin
Cech
There are no suprises there, and our only worry is that we pick up another injury to our ever-lengthening list, but let’s not dwell on IFs for now….
Swansea have got a great record against Arsenal, but today is the day their win ratio against us gets reduced. I’m going for a 2-0 Arsenal win in a tight game to keep us in contention at the top.
Onwards and Upwards!