Arsenal welcome Swansea City to the Emirates Stadium as Premier League action returns after the international break. The home side are looking to continue their winning streak while Swansea face a fight for survival despite their recent record against the Gunners. It’s a potentially tricky fixture for the home side and it will be a tough test for Wenger’s boys after overcoming Burnley two weeks ago.
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Matchday: Team News – Predicted Lineup – Betting Preview
Match: Arsenal v Swansea City
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Kick-Off (GMT): Sat 15 Oct 15:00
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It’s a new era for Swansea City as Bob Bradley takes charge for the first time. He’s the first American to manage in the Premier League and faces a tough test against an in-form Arsenal. Though the Swans’ recent record in North London is impressive, it’s a tricky task for Bradley who has to end the club’s poor recent form.
Form Guide
L-D-L-L-L
With no wins for Swansea in their last six Premier League games, on paper, it should be a straightforward task for the Gunners. However, the Swans faced a tricky run of fixtures during that period and were a little unfortunate not to get more out of some of the matches.
The Swans have mostly stuck to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the Premier League so far, but Bradley might look to change things up it around.
Head-to-Head
Swansea haven’t lost to Arsenal in the last four meetings held at the Emirates, winning three. The Swans ran out 2-1 winners in the last fixture in North London thanks to goals from Wayne Routledge and Ashley Williams.
As poor as Swansea’s current form is, Arsene Wenger will be wary of the Welsh side’s recent record against his team. The run stretches back to 2011 and Arsenal will need to be at their best if they are to keep up with their rivals. The two sides above the Gunners, Spurs and Manchester City, play at the same time.
Team News
Bradley will have to kick off his time at his new team without Fernando Llorente, Jefferson Montero or Nathan Dyer. He might also have to do without defender Fernandez who is struggling with a groin injury.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jack Cork, and lead scorer Leroy Fer are all fit and expected to start the match.
Predicted Line-Up
Swansea: Fabianski; Naughton, Amat, Van der Hoorn, Rangel; Britton, Cork; Routledge, Fer, Sigurdsson; Baston.
Doubtful: Fernández
Out: Llorente, Montero, Dyer
Threat
Swansea’s main threat has been the form of Leroy Fer who has scored four of their six league goals this season. The midfielder’s attacking instinct has worked out well for them so far and he’ll definitely be the one posing problems to the Gunners.
Record signing Borja Baston got 18 goals in La Liga last season but is still waiting for his first in the Premier League after recovering from an injury.
Weakness
Swansea have struggled to see out matches this season after squandering winning positions against both Chelsea and Liverpool. They have failed to keep a clean sheet since the opening match of the season and it’s natural to point some blame on the sale of Ashley Williams. A constant run of attacks for the home sides should be enough for Arsenal to keep up their impressive form in the Premier Leauge.