:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3984012/124489036.jpg)
Swansea were a tough out when they came to the Emirates earlier this season, with Arsenal taking the points only after the usually-awesome Michel Vorm rolled a ball off his own fullback's foot and to Andrei Arshavin, who put it in for the match's only goal. Granted that match was the first one after the Old Trafford Debacle, and it was only a week and a half after the transfer deadline deals that re-made this team; still, if we're to rely on another Vorm mistake to win, three points are unlikely. This isn't to say I think Arsenal can't beat Swansea, only that the attack needs to be better than it was in the opposite fixture and, frankly, since the 0-4 victory at Wigan in December.
This is especially crucial due to Swansea's tremendous home form. They've lost only one time at Liberty Stadium this season in all competitions (0-1 to Manchester United) and have allowed only four goals at home in the league all season. This is partially because of the play of Vorm, but Swansea defend well all around (as we saw at the Emirates) and are tough to break down. This is okay, though, because we've been really good at that lately.
Wait, what? Oh.
On the positive side, Thierry Henry! This week Arsene Wenger said he has the quality to play on the wing (which I had assumed was already a thing) and that he and van Persie can play together in attack. This leads me to think there's at least an outside chance he could start. That's probably not going to happen, but I could definitely see him seeing some significant second-half time. He also said some stuff about Arshavin so...yeah, he's probably going to play too. Prepare yourselves emotionally for that. If I were a betting man (I'm not, due to my poorness) I'd bet Arshavin starts and Henry comes on at the 55th or 60th minute.
In other team news, evidently Tomas Rosicky and Per Mertesacker are both ill, evidently, and their availability is questionable. That's not awesome news because Rosicky is pretty good, and Mertesacker's replacement is Sebastien Squillaci. On the positive side, Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny weren't total crap together against Leeds. On the negative side, Swansea are better than Leeds. So prepare yourselves emotionally for that, too.
Lineup:
Szczesny
Djourou - Koscielny - Squillaci - Miquel
Song - Arteta
Ramsey
Walcott - van Persie - Arshavin
Prediction:
I played a really good game against them in FIFA 12, okay? So I'm pretty sure we're going to win this game 4-1.
Ah crap, no we're not. I'm going with Swansea 1-2 Arsenal because there's not much of a chance of Arsenal scoring four against this defense. Or more than two; honestly one is most likely, but I'm hoping for two. On the other hand, van Persie and Henry might both have hat tricks, AND THEN WHO'D BE LAUGHING?! All of us, probably.