Arsenal will attempt to respond from their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday when the Gunners welcome relegation-threatened Swansea City to the English capital on Wednesday night.
Defeat at Old Trafford has left Arsene Wenger's side in third spot in the Premier League table, now five points off the leaders Leicester City. Swansea, however, are also in desperate need of the points as they look to move clear of the relegation zone.
Arsenal
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It has been a difficult week for Arsenal, whose character has once again been called into question following back-to-back defeats. A 2-0 home reverse to Barcelona in the Champions League last Tuesday was not all that surprising, but defeat against an injury-hit and youthful Man United team at the weekend led to a whole host of criticism.
A 2-1 victory over Leicester on February 14 put Arsenal in a strong position in the table, but they are now winless in their last three matches, which is a run that stretches across three competitions. Indeed, even their FA Cup spot is in doubt ahead of a fifth-round replay against Hull City on March 8, which has further increased a crowded fixture list.
They are on the verge of elimination from the Champions League after losing the first leg of their last-16 clash at home to Barcelona, which has placed more importance on the Premier League. Both Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur recorded wins at the weekend, which has left Arsenal in third and now five points off the summit.
This particular match takes on even more importance when considering that Arsenal have the small matter of a trip to Tottenham at the weekend. Failure to take all the points against Swansea and defeat against Spurs could suddenly leave Arsenal looking over their shoulder at fifth-placed Man United, who are now just seven points behind the Gunners.
Wenger's side have won eight and lost just one of their last 12 league matches at the Emirates, but have incredibly failed to score in four of their last six in all competitions on home soil. Not since April 2010 have Arsenal lost three games in a row in all competitions, but that possibility is staring them in the face ahead of the visit from Swansea.
"We want to defy the odds that are against us at the moment," were the words spoken by Wenger at his pre-match press conference. All eyes will be on Arsenal in this match and anything other than a comfortable three points would raise more questions about their title credentials this term.
Recent form: DLDWWL
Recent form (all competitions): DWWDLL
Swansea
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Swansea will enter Wednesday's match as the underdogs, but the Welsh outfit can take heart from their performance in North London at the weekend. Francesco Guidolin's side took the lead at Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, but were ultimately beaten 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Failure to hold on for at least a point will be seen as a disappointment, but the Swans can take heart from their performance as they prepare for another match in the capital.
A 2-1 win over Everton on January 24 suggested that Swansea were on the verge of pushing up the table, but it is now four league games without a win, which has included back-to-back defeats. That run of form has left Guidolin's team in 16th position in the table, just three points outside of the relegation zone.
Aston Villa have been cut adrift at the bottom, but just four points separate 19th-placed Sunderland from Swansea, while there is another two-point gap to Bournemouth in 15th. It does appear that two from that list will join Villa in the Championship next season and few tipped Swansea to be in the battle at the start of the campaign.
Just six wins have arrived in Swansea's 27 league matches this season, while they have only scored 25 goals, which is the second-worst record in the league behind Villa. Swansea did record a 1-0 victory at the Emirates last season, however, and have actually won four of the last nine Premier League meetings between the two teams.
Back-to-back games against Spurs and Arsenal are not what Swansea needed at this stage of the season. However, their next three are against Norwich City, Bournemouth and Villa and it is those type of matches that will determine whether the Welsh outfit have enough to stay in the league this season.
Recent form: WWDDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WWDDLL
Team News
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Wenger revealed on Tuesday that he has no fresh injury concerns from the defeat at Man United, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains on the sidelines with a knee problem.
Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are also still out of action, which is expected to leave Aaron Ramsey in a central midfield position alongside Francis Coquelin.
Olivier Giroud is pushing for a spot in the XI after starting the Man United match on the bench, and his return could see Theo Walcott dropping to the bench and Danny Welbeck moving into a wide position. Per Mertesacker could also return to the centre of the defence in place of Gabriel Paulista.
As for Swansea, head coach Guidolin has no fresh injury concerns from the defeat at Spurs.
Alberto Paloschi scored his first goal for the club at White Hart Lane and is expected to lead the attack once again, while Leroy Fer is pushing for inclusion in the middle of the park.
It will also be a special match for Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who once again returns to the club where he spent seven years of his career.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Welbeck, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Fer, Ki; Sigurdsson; Ayew, Paloschi
Head To Head
Wednesday's match will be the 21st meeting between the two teams in all competitions. Arsenal have recorded 10 victories during that run of matches, Swansea seven, while there have been just three draws.
Arsenal recorded a 3-0 victory when the pair met in Wales earlier this season, but Swansea have actually won two of the last three meetings - including a 1-0 success at the Emirates last season.
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We say: Arsenal 2-0 Swansea
It is a must-win match for Arsenal and the Gunners should have more than enough to pick up the points on home soil. Swansea are not exactly the type to adopt an over-physical approach, which is when Arsenal struggle.
In truth, this is a nice game for the Gunners - at home to a team that like to play football. It might take a while for Arsenal to break through, but we are backing a comfortable home victory for the title challengers.
Matt Law
