Battle Of In-Form Strikers As Arsenal Visit Swansea

Arsenal can close the four point gap on current Premier League champions Manchester City with a win away at Swansea City this afternoon (Sunday 9th November, 16:00).

The title holders slipped up against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers last night meaning that the third-placed side are now eight points off current leaders Chelsea who remain unbeaten.

Anything less than a win would spell disaster for the Gunners who could be overtaken by their Welsh opponents should they lose at the Liberty Stadium. Arsenal haven`t tasted defeat since the beginning of October and this will give them confidence against a stuttering Swansea side.

A goal in either half saw Arsene Wenger`s men fall to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before a late goal from Danny Welbeck saw them grab a draw from the jaws of defeat at home to mid-table botherers Hull City. A powerful Alexis Sanchez effort put Arsenal ahead though the Tigers equalised four minutes later and took the lead early in the second half. Welbeck`s stoppage time strike saved the club from recording their first back-to-back defeats of the season.

Wenger got his men back on track in the Champions League though they had to come behind once again to see off Belgian champions Anderlecht. Andy Najar put the home side ahead with 20 minutes remaining before the London club secured victory with two late goals from Kieran Gibbs and Lukas Podolski. This was followed by a 2-0 win away at Sunderland and a 3-0 triumph over Burnley in the side`s last two Premier League matches.

Top scorer Alexis Sanchez bagged successive braces with the other Burnley goal coming from Calum Chambers, netting his first ever senior goal. Sanchez also scored last time out as the Emirates outfit let a 3-0 lead slip in their return fixture with Anderlecht. Three second half goals from Besnik Hasi`s men cancelled out the efforts from Sanchez, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chilean Sanchez, who has already grabbed seven Premier League goals this season can be backed at 13/8 (Betvictor) to score at any time and is available at 8/1 (Betvictor, paddy Power) should you think that he can score at least two.

Having lost only once at home this season, Swansea should prove to be more than a match for their opponents this afternoon. Their only Liberty Stadium loss came against Southampton back in September though their recent form, consisting of a win, two ties and a defeat, is patchy to say the least.

The Swans twice let a lead slip in their 2-2 draw against Newcastle. Goals from Wilfried Bony and Wayne Routledge were cancelled out by a Papiss Cisse brace in what has proved to be the catalyst in the Magpies` season. It was a similar story away at Stoke, Bony converted a penalty only for Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters to put pay to their hopes of securing any points from the game. Bony, an Ivory Coast international, put two past Leicester City to earn the side a victory in front of their home supporters. The on-fire striker is 6/1 with most bookmakers to break the deadlock this afternoon.

Swansea failed to capitalise on their Leicester victory being dumped out in the fourth round of the League Cup by Premier League runners-up Liverpool before drawing 0-0 with Everton last time out.

Such unsettled form sees the home club the 29/10 (boylesports, ladbrokes) outsiders for the game with Arsenal the 11/10 favourites with most bookmakers. A draw can be picked up at 5/2, with most bookmakers again in agreement.

Both Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are at the favourite`s disposal once again though Anderlecht scorer Arteta will miss the game with a hamstring problem.

Swansea boss Garry Monk won`t be able to call upon Jonjo Shelvey who picked up a red card against the Toffees though both Jordi Amat and Dwight Tiendalli are expected to return.

Go To bet365

#Ad

09/11/2014     © Frixo 2026