MATCH PREVIEW
Singing the Arsenal-Swan song
by Tobi Alaaka
On the back of an eight-match winning streak,
there are worse things one can be in the world than being an Arsenal fan. Also,
there are worse ways of spending 90 minutes+ of one’s life than to watch two of
the more technically-gifted sides in the EPL. I’d leave you to fill the blank
spaces as appropriate on the ‘Worse scale’ from Bendtner’s corny Jesus-look to
Walcott’s beardy moustache or remotely worse things. But the duo of Arsenal and
Swansea are a perpetual fan’s delight, whether each is viewed singly – as
classy clubs with admirable ethos and managers, or better yet, together as
Premier league opponents as we are poised to see them this evening.
Arsenal travel to the South of Wales today
hoping to continue in their fine early season form – especially away from home
in which they’ve won their past seven matches – a run stretching back to last
season and coincidentally began at the Liberty Stadium. Their mid-week
progression through the rounds of the Capital One Cup, although might render
some individuals dead-legged, it could serve as a spring in the leg for the
entire team by further entrenching their winning mentality, even while playing
without their usual swagger. More so, given many of their regular first-team
players were rested mid-week, the players likely on parade today would have
gotten a much-deserved rest and raring to go.
Swansea have also been on a decent run; their
recent 0-3 win away against Valencia in the Europa league wouldn’t only have
made Europe pay attention to the melody of the Swan’s song, their players and
fans would also take some confidence boost from it going into a match against a
superior opponent. They weren’t quite as lucky as Arsenal in the COC though, as
they suffered 3rd round knock-out blows landed in the hands of
Birmingham, but given they are current title-holders, we could as that their
priorities lie elsewhere.
There are numerous sub-plots to this fixture
today, especially as Swansea has for a while now been labelled as the team that
can ‘Out-Arsenal’ Arsenal – much like we stoked Stoke in the past week with
goals from set-pieces – Swansea have incorporated a passing game almost
unparalleled in the league. This beautiful passing game has created a
mini-rivalry, albeit a beautiful one, and should leave fans of both teams
hoping to earn the mini-bragging rights. Also, the past Transfer Window was
filled with rumours of the Swansea captain Ashley Williams and to a lesser
extent, goal-engine Michu, linked with the Arsenal all along and as typical of
reported targets and ex-players, they would also be looking to prove a point to
either of the managers and the fans.
When all is said and done; a win to further
enhance Swansea’s status as an established Premier League side and move them up
on the log table would, to be priority, while 3-points to pull Arsenal away
from the pack on the top of the league standings (irrespective of what happens
in the London derby between their rivals) would wrap a perfect week of bliss
both on and off the pitch.
Wherever you’re watching, you probably won’t watch more
aesthetically appealing matches this season than a Swansea-Arsenal.
About Tobi
Is it Confession Time yet? I’m a die-hard (Campus) Gooner and a closet Swan. Thanks for reading…
COYG!!!
Follow me on Twitter @tobialaaka and I blog on
www.campusgooneordpress.com
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Guys,
With your team resolve to get favourable result in every game; the latter option as predicted will not only be ideal but welcome by all of us Gunners 4 Life this afternoon in our game against Swansea.