Arsenal will hope to gain some consistency going into a vital period of the Premier League season as they face Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs. Swansea 2012: Preview and TV schedule
Saturday sees two teams with a reputation for being easy on the eye collide, but both are desperately in need of some consistency.
Clive Mason
The form of certain players and the success of signings such as Santi Cazorla have papered over some of Arsenal's cracks, but the fact remains they have gotten off to their worst start since Arsene Wenger took over, and they have not yet shown signs of stabilising, with the danger they could miss out on the Champions League becoming very real.
Swansea, meanwhile, have been similarly inconsistent since getting off to a fine start under Michael Laudrup, but the match is likely to be determined by who copes the best with absentees - Pablo Hernandez, who has been in fine form since signing for Swansea in the summer, will miss the game, as will his equally in-form counterpart Theo Walcott.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Laurent Koscielny (thigh), Abou Diaby (stomach muscle), Andre Santos (thigh). In doubt: Bakary Sagna (foot), Theo Walcott (ankle), Lukas Podolski (virus).
Swansea injuries and suspensions
Out: Pablo Hernandez (thigh), Danny Graham (illness). In doubt: Chico Flores (shoulder)
Arsenal’s defence is suffering more problems with Laurent Koscielny and Andre Santos out and Bakary Sagna requiring assessment. The Gunners also have problems up front, with Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott both potentially absent for the game.
Swansea have fewer players out, but they include Danny Graham and in-form winger Pablo Hernandez. Jonathan de Guzman will likely return to the lineup in Hernandez’s stead, while Chico Flores is expected to be OK to feature.
Match Date\Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: Fox Soccer Plus (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.)
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