:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52740227/631153050.0.jpg)
Over the last few years, Swansea has been a bit of a hurdle for Arsenal, winning only one of the meetings the past two seasons. Even this year, Arsenal were made to sweat at home for a 3-2 victory, which included a Granit Xhaka straight red. Which is a bit worrying as, while Arsenal battles for Champions League, Swansea have been largely toothless this year, wallowing the basement and a good bet for relegation.
That said, Arsenal’s form has been middling and inconsistent over the tough holiday period so while it feels a good game to continue an unbeaten streak, it has that foreboding feel to it. Arsenal really need these points, so one can hope they are adequately motivated to make this a routine game, for once.
When:
Saturday, January 14th, 2017
7AM PT/10AM ET/3PM BT
Where:
Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales
Importance:
Following the two game disaster in December, Arsenal returned to winning ways in the league against West Brom and Crystal Palace, followed by a disappointing but scrappy fight to salvage a draw at Bournemouth. This saw them fall to fifth yet still very much in the mix for a top four spot. The Gunners face Swansea, Burnley and Watford in the league ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge to face current table leaders Chelsea. Time to make hay so that match doesn’t see them even further behind before it happens if they have any hope of a title push left in them.
Player News:
After an extra period of rest for the FA Cup, Mesut Ozil has returned to training after his illness and is expected to be welcomed back into the side. Other rested players Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny, Petr Cech are also all back. Francis Coquelin has begun some light training but remains out, along with Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott.
Probable starters:
Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Mustafi, Gabriel, Xhaka, Ramsey, Iwobi, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
How to watch:
In the US, NBCSN or NBC Live Sports.
In the not-US, check out livesoccer.tv.