Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Swansea City. The Gunners may be off the pace in the table, but a win this afternoon can take the club into fourth, but struggling Swansea City will be hoping to pick up a result which will help their attempts to move away from the relegation zone. Let's find out who Arsene Wenger and Paul Clement have selected in their starting XIs...

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Ozil, Sanchez; Lacazette

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Macey, Holding, Coquelin, Wilshere, Iwobi, Walcott, Giroud

SWANSEA CITY XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Van Der Hoorn, Fernandez, Mawson, Clucas, Ki, Fer, Carroll, Ayew, Abraham

SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Nordfeldt, Rodon, Mesa, Routledge, Narsingh, Dyer, McBurnie

With Wenger watching his side thrash Everton last weekend, there was very little reason to make any alterations and that is the way it has turned out. With Shkodran Mustafi and Danny Welbeck both out injured, the team effectively picks itself.

Laurent Koscielny once again lines up on the right-hand side of a three-man defence, with Nacho Monreal operating on the left of Per Mertesacker, who continues to be given responsibility in the centre. Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac will continue to feature at wing-back.

In the middle, Wenger continues to place trust in Granit Xhaka, who partners Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman has sometimes worked further forward but on this occasion, those duties fall to both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, who were near-unplayable at Goodison Park. Alexandre Lacazette leads the line on his own.

On the bench, it is a case of as you were, with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud all remaining among the replacements. Remember that neither of the trio have started a game in the Premier League this season. There is no place in the squad for Eddie Nketiah, who scored twice against Norwich City in the EFL Cup.

As for Swansea, Clement appears to have gone with a 3-5-2 formation in an attempt to match up with Arsenal. It means that Mike van der Hoorn will feature alongside Federico Fernandez and Alfie Mawson in defence.

The Dutchman's inclusion - for just his fourth start in the Premier League this season - is one of numerous changes made by Clement, who is without both Martin Olsson and Renato Sanches through injury, while Leon Britton is also not involved.

Ki Sung-yueng and Sam Clucas have come back into the team, while Leroy Fer is also involved. Jordan Ayew will presumably play close to Tammy Abraham, and drop deeper when Swansea do not have the ball.

The Swansea bench features young defender Joe Rodon, who is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Welsh club. Such is Clement's lack of defenders and use of central midfielders that three wingers - Luciano Narsingh, Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge - have also been selected on the bench.

RESULT! The full-time whistle has just gone at Old Trafford and a late goal from Anthony Martial has earned Manchester United a massive 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. It's a result which sees United go three points clear in second place, and just two points adrift of leaders Manchester City ahead of their clash away at West Bromwich Albion.

You can read a match report from the game at Old Trafford by clicking here.

As far as the table is concerned regarding this encounter, Arsenal have the chance to move into fourth place due to Chelsea not playing Bournemouth until later today. As for Swansea, they can move as high as 12th with a three-goal win, but 13th looks their most realistic hope.

We cannot continue our build-up to this match anywhere else but focusing on Arsenal's home record, with nine successive league games being won by the Gunners. You have to go back to April 2 for the last time that Wenger failed to guide his team to victory on their own turf when a 2-2 draw was registered against Manchester City.

During that run, a total of 22 goals have been scored and seven clean sheets recorded. The only teams to score were Everton - from the spot - on the final day of last season and Leicester City - on the first day of this campaign - when the Foxes held a 3-2 lead before conceding two late goals.

Manager Arsene Wenger appears to come in for criticism on a weekly basis, but the Frenchman is taking charge of his 800th Premier League fixture this afternoon. He is just 10 games shy of Sir Alex Ferguson's all-time record.

That criticism probably comes from the fact that Arsenal have lost nine of their last 25 games in the Premier League. However, during that period, 14 wins have still been registered with two draws so don't get expecting a draw this afternoon. It's basically all or nothing where Wenger is concerned.

All or nothing generally means goals and Arsenal have just moved past a year since the last time they failed to score a goal in a Premier League match at the Emirates. Of all the teams, that came against Middlesbrough on October 22, 2016. Before that, it was a goalless draw with Southampton on February 2 of that same year.

Before we turn our attention to Swansea, we must talk about Ozil. The playmaker was superb against Everton last weekend - scoring a goal and providing an assist - but the German international - who appears likely to leave the club at the end of the season - created eight goalscoring opportunities at Goodison Park, the most by any player in a Premier League game this season. Wenger will be hoping for more of the same today.

It has been a bit doom and gloom lately at Swansea lately but the Welsh club love a trip to the Emirates. In eight previous visits, they have claimed four victories and a draw. This is Paul Clement's first visit to Arsenal as a head coach, but he will surely take confidence from their past encounters.

The Swans have generally been solid on the road as well. Nine points have been recorded from their last six trips, with the only defeat coming against West Ham United when Diafra Sakho scored a last-gasp goal. Swansea are making their second visit to North London this season having already held Tottenham Hotspur to a goalless draw at Wembley Stadium. In all, four clean sheets have been recorded in five games.

That said, you could argue that things have started to go a bit stale at the Liberty Stadium. In 12 matches this season, Swansea have only scored more than two goals in a game on one occasion - away at MK Dons in the EFL Cup. Goals have been difficult to come by in the top flight, with five blanks being recorded in nine games.

Of Swansea's six goals in the Premier League this season, Tammy Abraham has netted four of them. The Chelsea loanee's general play has not always been the best, but the 20-year-old remains a key man in attack and that will have to continue if Swansea are to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.

However, Abraham could still do with a bit of help from his teammates. Swansea have attempted just 72 shots on goal in the top flight - the fewest out of the 20 clubs in the division.

Before we crack on with the prediction, let's talk about Swansea's former Gunner Lukas Fabianski. The Pole did not enjoy the best of times in North London, making just 32 Premier League appearances in seven years, but the 32-year-old has been excellent in south Wales, featuring on 120 occasions since joining the club in 2014. He will be hoping to put on a show against his ex-employers.

PREDICTION! Arsenal have had their issues on the road in the Premier League, but that has not been the case at the Emirates and we are expecting a comfortable win for the Gunners. Swansea just aren't showing enough quality on a consistent basis and they could struggle in North London. Arsenal to win 3-0.

HEAD TO HEAD! Saturday's meeting will represent just the 24th time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive contest, with Arsenal claiming 12 wins in comparison to eight victories for Swansea. As many as 14 matches have come since 2011 after Swansea's promotion to the top flight.

We have already pointed to the fact that Swansea have an encouraging record against Arsenal, but the Gunners prevailed from both games last season. After a 3-2 victory over Bob Bradley's Swansea at the Emirates, the North Londoners ran out 4-0 winners at the Liberty Stadium in January.

As the teams walk out at the Emirates, I will point out that there has never been a goalless draw in this fixture. I'd be surprised if that streak ends today...

A reminder of the team news...

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Ozil, Sanchez; Lacazette

SWANSEA CITY XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Van Der Hoorn, Fernandez, Mawson, Clucas, Ki, Fer, Carroll, Ayew, Abraham

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Emirates Stadium.

Both teams have wasted little time in trying to thread through balls to Lacazette and Ayew respectively, but they were not accurate enough to cause any real trouble. All things considered, a quiet start.

We have had very little apart from patient passing. There is no real urgency from either team just yet. It may be due to the atmosphere. There are a lot of empty seats at the Emirates.

SHOT! Arsenal are beginning to have a bit more success, with Ramsey having an effort blocked by Mawson and Sanchez firing a shot too close to Fabianski.

Not much to speak of sicne that Sanchez strike, but Arsenal are in full control now. Swansea need to be careful not to retreat too deep. It will only invite pressure.

LATEST! The first goal of the 3pm kickoffs has gone to Manchester City, who lead West Bromwich Albion thanks to a Leroy Sane effort. It could be a long afternoon for the Baggies.

LATEST! Scrap that - West Brom have already equalised through Jay Rodriguez!

Back to this game, and nothing really is happening. Arsenal are probing away, though, and are looking to pick their moment. Swansea have barely had a kick.

For now, this will do just nicely for Swansea but as we stated earlier, Arsenal very rarely don't score at the Emirates. It's not a case of damage limitation, but if the visitors play this defensively, Arsenal will eventually capitalise.

One aspect of this performance which Arsenal supporters will be enjoying is the quality on the ball from Ozil and Sanchez. They are not necessarily finding the final ball required, but their interchanges are putting fear into the Swansea backline.

SHOT! More direct from Sanchez, who opts to try to curl the ball into the far corner, but the Chilean's effort goes comfortably wide of Fabianski's goal.

It's Bellerin's turn to try a shot from distance but his attempt strikes a defender and is cleared to safety.

Well this wasn't in the script. Swansea take the lead completely against the run of play! A brilliant pass from Abraham finds the run of Clucas, who got behind the defender before flicking the ball through Cech's legs and into the net.

It's fair to say that the goal has not gone down well. Arsenal have had at least 75% of possession in this game but they are being forced into a rethink here.

LATEST! Man City are back in front at The Hawthorns thanks to Fernandinho. Still, West Brom will be encouraged that they were able to score against the league leaders.

Swansea have not seen that much of the ball since going ahead against the run of play, but their advantage is enough to tempt Arsenal into forcing their passes. The visitors have something to work with here. Fabianski has not had that much to do.

We are through half an hour at the Emirates and it is so far so good for Swansea. Wenger is cutting a frustrated figure on the touchline.

Most of Arsenal's work is going through Ozil and Sanchez but it wouldn't hurt to start playing Ramsey in a more advanced position. There is, of course, the risk of Swansea launching a counter-attack but at this stage in the half, I don't expect much ambition from the visitors.

Just like that, Swansea do spring into action in the final third but Ayew's cross is straight into the hands of Cech.

You can hear a pin drop at the Emirates. That's if something dropped a pin. The Gunners are really struggling to break down a well-organised defensive setup. The introduction of Van Der Hoor has been effective.

Arsenal are not the only team struggling at home. Liverpool are doing just the same against Huddersfield Town, where it remains goalless. If both teams fail to win this afternoon, that's a huge plus for the other four top teams in the division.

Arsenal have had a corner in the last couple of minutes but Xhaka was adjudged to have committed a foul. Wenger doesn't usually jump the gun with changes but if Arsenal have not found the breakthrough before the break, he will surely contemplating acting.

SAVE! Almost a goal for Arsenal. Sanchez's effort from inside the penalty area appears destined for the top corner, but Fabainski reacts well to divert the ball behind for a corner.

The set piece from Ozil comes to nothing. There are a few sighs from the home contingent.

Arsenal win yet another corner but on this occasion, it is wasted by Sanchez. Swansea are living a little dangerously, but they do not have long until the break. Both teams probably need it.

CHANCE! Swansea should double their lead! What an opportunity. Ayew finds himself through on goal with just Cech to beat but his attempted dink over the goalkeeper fails to come off, with the Czech stopper making the save.

The half-time whistle goes at the Emirates and Swansea lead thanks to that Clucas goal midway through the first half. Arsenal have had the majority of the balls and chances, but the visitors are good value for their advantage. Wenger has work to do at the break.

The goal came completely against the run of play, with Abraham's quite wonderful through-ball finding the run of Clucas, who made no mistake with sending the ball through Cech's legs from around 10 yards. It's the midfielder's first goal since a summer move from Hull City.

The clearest openings for Arsenal have come for Sanchez, who has forced a brilliant save out of Fabianski as well as just missing the far post with a curling effort. The Chilean appears to be Arsenal's best chance of an equaliser.

Given the pattern of the game, it cannot be long before Wenger acts. Wilshere, Walcott and Giroud are all chomping at the bit to get a chance in the top flight and they will probably be considered if the home side do not offer anything different during the early stages of the second period.

We are just about ready to get back underway in the second half. Clement wil be delighted with his team's efforts so far, but have they got enough in the tank to see this match out? Let's find out.

KICKOFF! We are back underway at the Emirates.

Arsenal are back on the ball but they have not threatened an equaliser in the opening couple of minutes. The urgency will have to come sooner rather than later.

More of the same as Swansea set about frustrating their more illustrious hosts. The Arsenal supporters are not suggesting that they are a patient bunch and the groans have already started.

There are a few less groans now. Arsenal find their equaliser through Kolasinac, who arrives at the back post to drill a shot past Fabianski from around 12 yards out. It may have taken a small deflection.

Swansea almost provide an instant response through Abraham, but the striker is adjudged to have been offside. It's extremely tight.

This is an exciting game now. Arsenal hit straight back and win a free kick after a foul by Mawson. This is another chance to get the ball into the area.

CHANCE! How has Koscielny not scored?! The centre-back got on the end of a wonderful delivery but his header went inches wide of the post. If it's the other side of the post, it's a goal.

It has taken all of seven minutes for the comeback to be complete. It's Kolasinac who turns provider on this occasion, playing the ball across goal for Ramsey to convert into the bottom corner. It's the Welshman's 50th goal in a Gunners shirt.

LATEST! In the other games, Man City remain 2-1 ahead of West Brom, while Liverpool have opened up a two-goal lead over Huddersfield. No shocks on the cards at the moment.

SHOT! Swansea are beginning to unravel to a certain extent. Ramsey get another chance to get a shot away, but his effort from the edge of the box fails to trouble Fabianski.

Clement now has to decide how to deal with his team being over-run. He may as well make alterations now and risk it because the Gunners aren't too far away from ending this game as a contest.

SHOT! Lacazette has been somewhat quiet in this game, but a well-struck shot from the Frenchman warms the hands of Fabianski.

Swansea finally get back on the offensive and manage to win a corner, but Arsenal comfortably deal with Clucas's delivery. The visitors could do with one of the three wingers that they have in reserve being introduced.

WOODWORK! Back come Arsenal and Bellerin is desperately unlucky with a strike from the edge of the box. Fabianski was beaten.

Substitutions have definitely got to be in the thinking of the two managers. Clement will surely be the first to act. All of these Arsenal players were given a rest in midweek and their extra energy is proving decisive.

A reminder that Arsenal are going fourth with this result. Liverpool are also set to close the gap on Chelsea, who play later, and Watford, who are losing at home to Stoke City. With Spurs losing as well, this could be an excellent afternoon for the Gunners.

Despite the current stage of the game, we have had a bit of a lull in the action. In all fairness, the second half has been played at a fast pace, so both teams may be readying themselves for the closing stages.

SHOT! Better from Arsenal and from Sanchez, who has been much quieter in this second half. This shot probably comes out of frustration, and the Chilean's effort from long range goes just off target.

Aside from that strike, there has been very little to speak about in terms of goalmouth action. I can't believe that we are still waiting for a change!

CHANCE! The visitors finally mount another charge on goal through Abraham but despite the striker turning on the edge of the area, his strike is deflected off target. The referee gives a goal kick, however...

SUBSTITUTION! Finally, a substitution. It's for Arsenal as Wenger introduces Holding for the impressive Kolasinac.

SUBSTITUTION! Another change for Arsenal, with Giroud coming on for Lacazette.

SUBSTITUTION! Clement finally acts for Swansea, with Narsingh replacing Ayew.

SUBSTITUTION! Van Der Hoorn has also been replaced by Dyer. Like buses...

SHOT! Giroud is keen to impress on his limited involvement and he almost does just that after collecting Xhaka's pass, but after holding off the defender, the striker sends a shot just wide of the target.

SUBSTITUTION! A third and final change for Swansea sees McBurnie replace Carroll. Just three minutes to go.

SHOT! Another effort from Giroud. Another near miss. This time, it was a bit further from goal, but it was still the end result.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

The full-time whistle goes at the Emirates and Arsenal have comfortably held on for a 2-1 win over Swansea. It was far from simple for Wenger's side, but they did enough to move into fourth place in the league standings.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you fancy taking a look at our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.