Jonathan de Guzman eager for FA Cup debut against Arsenal

Swansea midfielder on loan from Villarreal

Swansea's Jonathan de Guzman is eagerly awaiting the chance to make his FA Cup debut against Arsenal on Sunday.

The former Feyenoord and Mallorca midfielder, on-loan at the Liberty Stadium from Villarreal, has always kept a keen eye on one of world football's most famous knockout tournaments, and will now get the chance to be part of it on third-round weekend.

The 25-year-old Dutchman has already enjoyed a good cup run with Swansea this season, helping Michael Laudrup's side to reach the last four of the Capital One Cup, where they will face Chelsea as they chase a first appearance at a major Wembley final.

Facing Arsenal on Sunday will hold few fears for Swansea, who famously defeated the Gunners' 3-2 at home last January, before securing a 2-0 victory courtesy of a Michu brace at the Emirates Stadium in December.

De Guzman said: "It's very exciting for me to be involved in the FA Cup for the first time and it could not have been against many bigger teams than Arsenal.

"It's a famous competition and everyone is glued to the TV at this time of year and everyone is excited.

"We can take confidence from having beaten them recently. We seem to play better against teams who like to play football because that leaves spaces for us to play our game.

"With us having the home advantage as well, hopefully we can progress."

Swansea head into back-to-back cup contests against Arsenal and Chelsea frustrated by their failure to turn dominance into victory in their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on New Year's Day.

Swansea enjoyed almost 70 per cent of possession and carved out a host of opportunities during an opening 30 minutes when they threatened to run away with the game.

However, they only had Wayne Routledge's strike to show for their efforts and ultimately needed a goal from Danny Graham deep into injury time to secure a point.

De Guzman knows Swansea must learn to be more clinical in front of goal.

"We have to look at the chances that we didn't take in the first half. It could have been a totally different game if we capitalised," he added.

"We played some really good football and could have been clear but if you don't score the goals, you leave the door open and that's what happened. They scored just before half-time with their first chance of the game.

"The only thing we can do is learn from this experience.

"There's not much point saying we should have done this or that, we just have to learn and get better from and take the positives from a good general performance."

PA