It seems like déjà vu to all Arsenal fans. After a run of impressive results in the English Premier League, talk of mounting a serious title challenge has abruptly been jeopardized by an injury crisis.
Tuesday’s 3-0 Capital One Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday handed a double blow to the Gunners in the injury department, as English duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott both fell to injuries which will rule them out until after November’s international break.
The north London side’s next game is a trip to 12th-placed Swansea, with eight senior players set to miss Saturday’s Liberty Stadium encounter.
Arsenal play Swansea away tomorrow without 8 players. Ospina Wilshere Welbeck Rosicky Walcott Chamberlain Arteta Ramsey
— Arsenal FC (@FFArsenal) October 30, 2015
Nine points separate the two sides; however, Arsene Wenger’s crew need to overturn a two-game losing streak against the Welsh side.
Furthermore, Arsenal have lost two of their last four Liberty Stadium visits in the English Premier League, setting up a tense weekend encounter.
It is not all bad news for the Gunners, however. The London giants will still have in-form Chilean midfielder Alexis Sanchez and the league’s assists chart-topper Mesut Ozil, accompanied by their stern defense, starring Nacho Monreal and rising youngster Hector Bellerin.
Mesut Ozil's assists since 2008: Only Lionel Messi ranks higher than the German playmaker
The Swans will have their own weapon up their sleeves, though, in the form of Andre Ayew, who has hit the ground running since signing in the summer.
10 matches has seen the Ghanaian score 5 goals, tallying up to a goal in every two games, as the former Marseille ace will be keen on penetrating the Arsenal back four and netting past Petr Cech.
STATS: Andre Ayew vs Alexis Sanchez
However, poor form has seen Gary Monk’s side clinch only 5 points from a possible 21 in their last seven games, an odd which may dampen their spirits ahead of Saturday’s game.
Team sheets for Swansea vs Arsenal
Swansea's lineup: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams , Taylor, Ki Sung-Yueng, Shelvey, Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis.
Arsenal's lineup: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Campbell, Özil, Sanchez, Giroud.
Swansea's subs: Nordfeldt, Rangel, Bartley, Cork, Britton, Barrow, Eder.
Arsenal's subs: Macey, Gabriel, Debuchy, Gibbs, Chambers, Flamini, Iwobi.
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