Arsenal will be looking to extend their winning run when they play host to Swansea City at the Emirates on Saturday.
After picking up just one point from their first two encounters, Arsenal have since gone on a five-match winning streak in the Premier League, and it is showing no signs of stopping.
The Gunners lost their first game at home to Liverpool and failed to break the deadlock against defending champions Leicester City.
However, after welcoming in their transfer recruits and seeing a number of players return from injury, the Gunners have since shown tremendous progress.
Before demolishing Chelsea in 45 first-half minutes, Arsenal scored nine goals in the span of three games, courtesy of Alexis Sanchez’s exploits as a number nine. The Gooners will be hoping he continues his form as their side plays host to Swansea over the weekend.
Swansea, on the other hand, have endured a contradictory start compared to their opponents on Saturday. With no wins in their last five games, the board decided to let go of Francesco Guidolin and appointed American Bob Bradley at the helm.
In his first Premier League game in charge, it will be a colossal ask to get the job done over an in-form Arsenal side at the Emirates. The least Bradley can do is make his players believe in each other once again, as they look to avoid the gruesome clutches of relegation this campaign.
Possible Lineups
Petr Cech is set to start in goal with a stable centre-back pairing of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny ahead of him. Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal will continue to be deployed as right and left full-backs respectively.
In midfield, the double pivot of Granit Xhaka and Santi Cazorla has been successful for Wenger, and the Frenchman is likely to start with the duo. Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott will be giving the Gunners width while Mesut Ozil is set to begin the game in-behind Alexis Sanchez.
For the hosts, Lukas Fabinski will start between the sticks against his former employers. Stephen Kingsley’s disappointing displays at centre-half have seen him been replaced by Dutchman Mike van der Hoorn and he is likely to partner Jordi Amat.
Leon Britton will look to dictate terms from midfield and will have the services of Steve Cork and the in-form Leroy Fer. Club-record signing Borja Baston is expected to lead the line with Wayne Routledge and Gylfi Sigurdsson on either flanks.
Stats
- Arsenal have enjoyed just one win in their last five Premier League meetings with Swansea (D1, L3).
- The Gunners have now kept four clean sheets in a row in all competitions; they last enjoyed a longer run without conceding in February 2009 (six consecutive shutouts).
- Mesut Ozil has provided just one assist in his last 16 top-flight games, after registering 11 in the 16 before that.
- In each of Swansea’s last four league visits to the Emirates, the Welsh side have either won or drawn the game courtesy of goals scored in the 74th minute or later.
- Bob Bradley is the first American manager to oversee a Premier League game.
- Leroy Fer has scored four goals in his seven Premier League appearances this season, as many as in his previous 26 in the competition.
Betting Tips
It will be a tough ask, but Swansea will try doing everything they can to spoil the Gunners’ party on Saturday. Despite recent results between the two going in favour of the Swans, Wenger’s side appears to be infallible at the moment to succumb to a shock defeat against a team languishing in the lower end of the league standings.
New manager Bob Bradley has had a few days to interact and accustom himself with his staff and players, and appears to be gearted up to begin life in the Premier League. In his first interview, the American said that he finds himself to be cut from the same managerial cloth as Guardiola, Klopp and Mourinho. It remains to be seen whether or not he can live up to his own expectations and provided an upset on Saturday.
Favourable Bets:
1. Arsenal Clean Sheet – No @1.72
2. Swansea +1.5,+2.0 Asian Handicap @ 1.925
Underdog Bets:
1. Swansea Clean Sheet – YES @ 11.00
2. Correct Result – Arsenal 0 – 1 Swansea @ 34.00
3. Over 14 Match Corners @ 5.50
4. Swansea Draw No Bet @ 9.00
5. Swansea or Draw @ 3.75
Watch out for
Theo Walcott
The much maligned English winger has finally started to prove himself and consolidate his position among the Emirates faithful. Often on the receiving end of some nasty jeering by the home fans, Walcott has risen above the hate to emerge as a vital cog in Wenger’s rollicking machine. The 27-year-old is expected to ply his trade down the right wing, and will be hoping to give the Swansea defenders a run for their money.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-0 Swansea
With home advantage and current form on their side, it is hard to look past an Arsenal win in this game. Wenger’s men have proven time and again why they are among the fitter sides in the Premier League, and often come out with flying colours during the initial stages.
A win could see the Gunners momentarily leapfrog rivals Tottenham Hotspur and league-leaders Manchester City to top the standings for the first time this season.