FA Cup: Swansea v Arsenal match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's FA Cup fixture at the Liberty Stadium

Last month, Swansea's visit to the Emirates Stadium left Arsenal stunned. The home side, succumbing to two late goals from Michu, had picked up just 21 points from the opening 14 games of the 2012-13 campaign. Discontent continues to surround the club, who have not won a major trophy in eight years; the FA Cup remains their most realistic hope of changing that.

Swansea now find themselves below Arsenal in the domestic table, but will be looking to create history by winning this competition for the first time. Brian Laudrup's team may not be favourites, perhaps distracted by Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final, though previous results have shown that their passing philosophy can more than match the Gunners.

Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone, André Santos and Abou Diaby will be all absent for Arsenal, but Emmanuel Frimpong, who missed training in midweek through illness, could make his return following a knee injury sustained last January. Swansea only have Neil Taylor, out for the season after suffering a fractured ankle in September, sidelined.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1:30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Arsenal 0 Swansea 2 (Michu 2), Premier League, December 2012

Swansea 3 (Sinclair, Dyer, Graham) Arsenal 2 (Van Persie, Walcott), Premier League, January 2012

Arsenal 1 (Arshavin) Swansea 0, Premier League, September 2011

STATS...

In their 12 meetings since 1926, Arsenal have won six times, with five Swansea victories and one draw.

Both sides are without clean sheets in their past two games.

No Premier League player has as many clearances off the goal-line this season than Swansea midfielder Leon Britton (four).

Arsenal, meanwhile, have had fewer attempts at goal from set pieces (17.8%) than any other side, and blocked the fewest number of opposition shots (46).

ODDS...

Swansea to win: 3.35

Arsenal to win: 2.26

Draw: 3.75

TV: Live on ESPN at 1:30pm, highlights on ITV1 at 10:45pm