Arsenal vs Swansea City: 5 factors that will decide the outcome

Arsenal host Swansea City in the Premier League this weekend. Arsenal look a much better side now that they have their first-choice front three fit for the first time this season.

In Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal have a frightening forward line that can cause Swansea and every other side serious trouble.

Swansea, however, sit 15th, just above the relegation zone on goal difference. They have had a poor start, and lack creativity after failing to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson in the summer.

Let’s take a look at 5 factors that could decide this game.

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#5 Arsenal taking advantage of wide areas

Swansea’s only recognised left-back, Martin Olsson, limped off in the midweek loss to Manchester United. This means that either Angel Rangel, Kyle Naughton or Sam Clucas will fill in that role.

If Naughton switches to the left-flank, it would mean Rangel at right-back once again and he will play 180 minutes in a week, which is a lot for a 35-year-old.

Either way, Swansea will be lacking defensively in wide areas, something which Arsenal will need to exploit. Ozil and Sanchez can cut inside which could see the wing-backs play a huge part in this game.

#4 Will Swansea sit deep?

Swansea have let in 10 goals from 9 matches

Over the years, Swansea have gone to the top teams and tried to play possession-based football. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. However, they have strayed away from that style of play recently.

This season, the Welsh side went to Tottenham and sat back for the entire game and just defended deep, and came away with a 0-0 draw. This was unlike Swansea though, and it will be interesting to see if this continues.

If Swansea do sit deep, it will mean more space for Arsenal’s two central midfielders, presumably, Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey, and they will have to be smart and creative, something their North London counterparts were not able to do.

#3 Front three clicking

There were a lot of promising signs for Arsenal in the match against Everton

Arsenal’s front three of Lacazette, Sanchez and Ozil looked exceptionally good against Everton. However, that was an Everton side on the verge of sacking their manager, and did go on to do so.

This is just their second game together, and against a better defence, they may not perform as well. Arsene Wenger, however, will surely have his side in training working on improving the chemistry between the forwards.

If Arsenal want to win all three points, they will need that front three to break down Swansea’s defence.

#2 Remaining patient

Arsene Wenger

Arsenal have been specialists in remaining patient over the past few years, and have scored a barrage of late winning goals by doing so.

Swansea will likely spend the entire game defending, meaning they will tire. Rangel and Alfie Mawson also played 90 minutes in midweek while Naughton played 61, which will be a big factor.

The visitors also conceded late goals to Watford, West Ham and Newcastle this season while the scoreline was tied.

Manchester United had also scored 3 goals against the Swans in the last 10 minutes.

#1 Utilising the bench

Olivier Giroud is a great option off the bench

Along the same lines of remaining patient, both managers will have a big part to play by using their benches.

Olivier Giroud has become a super-sub for Arsenal, and with Swansea’s knack of conceding late goals, we could see the Frenchman’s impact once again late on.

Jack Wilshere could also impact the game with his creativity, while Arsenal’s newest star Eddie Nketiah, fresh off scoring twice against Norwich City, could even repeat his heroics in the Premier League.