This should be a game for the purists on Saturday evening with two teams who like to play progressive, possession football. While I don't subscribe to the view that this is the only way to play, there is after all more than one way to skin a cat. Both sides have started the season well with Arsenal sitting at the top of the table and Swansea mid-table with seven points having already played Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool in their first five games. This combined with impressive away wins in the Champions League and Europa League respectively means both sides will enter the fray in positive mood. Although they had a disappointing exit at the hands of Birmingham it should be put in perspective as Swansea made ten changes from the side that comprehensively beat Crystal Palace last Sunday. It may not seem like it right now but this may turn out to be a blessing in disguise cutting down their hectic fixture schedule. Michael Laudrup deserves credit for the way he has continued to move his side in an upward curve after taking over from Brendan Rodgers culminating in their Capital One Cup triumph against Bradford last season. The way he has integrated his signings, most notably Michu, into the team while allowing stalwarts such as Britton, Williams and Dyer to continue to flourish has been particularly impressive. Arsene Wenger meanwhile seems to riding on a crest of a wave at the moment but it is a very precarious wave that he could fall off at any moment. The injury to Theo Walcott has made the options up front look very limited and Wenger will be hoping for no more knocks in the coming weeks. With the positive financial results coming out of the club this week the folly of not adding to his striking options in the last window may well come back to haunt the Frenchman.
Likely Line-ups
Swansea Vorm, Chico, Williams, Rangel, Davies, Canas, Shelvey, De Guzman, Routledge, Michu, Dyer Arsenal Schezney, Sanga, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Gnarby, Giroud, Ozil Prediction: Sitting on the fence for this one and going for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Arsene Wenger meanwhile seems to riding on a crest of a wave at the moment but it is a very precarious wave that he could fall off at any moment. The injury to Theo Walcott has made the options up front look very limited and Wenger will be hoping for no more knocks in the coming weeks. With the positive financial results coming out of the club this week the folly of not adding to his striking options in the last window may well come back to haunt the Frenchman.