Premier League: Swansea City v Arsenal match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at the Liberty Stadium

Michu will be in action for Swansea against Arsenal (AFP/Getty)

Swansea will welcome back some of their key players as they bid to bounce back immediately from Wednesday’s League Cup upset against Championship side Birmingham City.

Michel Vorm, Wayne Routledge and top-scorer Michu will be among their big names to return, as the Swans look to consolidate their top-half position in the table.

They also hope to welcome back Ashley Williams and Pablo Hernandez from injuries, while Neil Taylor could continue his return from a dead leg after playing against Birmingham.

Arsenal will also be back to full strength, with £42.5 million Mesut Ozil returning to make his third league start for the Gunners.

Jack Wilshere could return after Arsene Wenger ruled him out of the League Cup game against West Brom, but Theo Walcott will definitely be absent after an abdominal muscle problem.

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Swansea City 0 Arsenal 2 (Monreal, Gervinho), Premier League, March 2013

Arsenal 1 (Wilshere) Swansea City 0, FA Cup Replay, January 2013

Swansea City (Michu, Graham) 2 Arsenal 2 (Podolski, Gibbs), FA Cup, January 2013

STATS…

Swansea City and Arsenal have beaten each other two times each in 4 Premier League encounters.

Michael Laudrup’s team have yet to claim their first home win in the league this season.

After defeating West Brom on penalties in the League Cup in midweek, Arsenal are on an 8 game winning streak in all competitions.

Last week’s win at Stoke City was the first Premier League game this season that Oliver Giroud has not scored in.

ODDS…

Swansea to win: 3.3

Arsenal to win: 2.38

Draw: 3.5

TV: Live Coverage on Sky Sports, Saturday, 5.30pm, Highlights on BBC 1 10.30, and Match of the Day 2, Sunday, 10.25 pm.