Arsenal will welcome Swansea City to the Emirates Stadium this weekend, as the Premier League resumes after the latest round of international fixtures over the past fortnight. Arsene Wenger's men were in terrific form before the break, but the Swans aren't in such a good place, as Bob Bradley will take charge for the first time after the sacking of Francesco Guidolin

The Gunners haven't always found it easy against Swansea, a team that will be eager to impress in their first game under their new boss this weekend. 

Arsenal the form side

Arsenal will be going into this game as one of the most inform sides in the Premier League, and will be hoping that the international break won't halt their current run of six games without a defeat in the League where they've won five on the bounce. An impressive display against Chelsea, and then a battling win over Burnley has given fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic but it's crucial the Gunners don't take their foot off the gas. 

The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and the centre back pairing of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny have been in brilliant form over the past month or so, but going into a period of games where the Gunners face Swansea, Middlesbrough and Sunderland this month, they wil be expecting full points and equally good performances. 

Wenger will be hoping that his players provide similar displays to the ones they showed in their previous two home games against Chelsea and Basel, where their quick passing cut through the opposition defence. A quick start could be just what they need in a game, and against the type of opposition that's caused them problems in the past. 

Bardley hoping to change Swansea fortunes

Swansea are enduring a horrible run of form, showing performances that are in stark comparison to their opponents this weekend. They currently sit one place above the relegation zone on four points after a run of games where they've failed to win in six league matches. 

Guidolin couldn't seem to get the best out of his players, but with Bradley now at the helm, a man that's managed at international level and respected by many of his peers, Swansea will be hoping that he can change their dismal form around.

A trip to the Emirates is probably the last game Bradley would have wanted in his first game in English football, but he may be encouraged by the fact that the Swans have been a slight stumbling block for Arsenal in recent years, as they are chasing their third consecutive win away against the Gunners.

Bob Bradley will take charge of his first Swansea game against Arsenal | Photo: Getty
Bob Bradley will take charge of his first Swansea game against Arsenal | Photo: Getty

Team news

Francis Coquelin will be back in the Arsenal side after picking up an injury against Chelsea which will bolster Wenger's midfield options once more. Whether he or Granit Xhaka starts remain to be seen though. Aaron Ramsey however is still out, after suffering a minor set back in his recovery from an injury that's kept him out for most of the opening months of the new campaign.

Olivier Giroud will also miss the game too as he looks to build his fitness after also sitting out the international break with France. There is good news for Lucas Perez though, who should be back after missing the trip to Turf Moor against Burnley. Wenger has also said that Mesut Ozil is completely fit after his exploits with Germany and should be fresh enough after only playing 45 minutes of their game with Northern Ireland earlier this week. 

As for Swansea, Fernando Llorente will be absent for the trip to North London with the same knee injury that saw him sit out of the defeat to Liverpool. Jefferson Montero is doubtful with a calf injury, but Federico Fernandez will be back after recovering from a groin issue. Nathan Dyer meanwhile remains out with an ankle problem.  

Verdict

Judging by this season, the odds are firmly stacked in Arsenal's favour after their brilliant response to bouncing back to an opening day defeat to Liverpool. They're on a fantastic winning run of games in all competitions and they have plenty of players in form.

Swansea however will be keen to impress their new manager and will be hoping that they can begin to get themselves out of trouble after their worst start to a Premier League season. 

An Arsenal win can't just be expected though after winning just one of their last five games with the Swans, failing to beat them the last four times they've met. However the Gunners have been behind for just 52 minutes in the league this season, less than any other team in the division.

Meanwhile Wenger has won six out of eight games when taking on a newly appointed Premier League manager in their first game in charge. There are omens either way then, but that's something that should make it a very intriguing encounter on Saturday afternoon. 

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About the author
Matt Dawson
Sports journalist at the University of Huddersfield. Cover Arsenal and the WSL.