Spicy Speaks


Today’s match sees us travelling to Swansea, in what could turn out to be a swan song for our beloved Giroud.

With the ink all but dry on a contract that sees Aubamayang join us for a record fee, and Mikhi possibly starting the future looks bright for us gooners.

It could be however, a future without the lamp post that is Olivier Giroud. The rumours are gathering pace, and with Wenger saying it’s a possibility he will be on the bench, it could be his last match for us. 
I would hate to see him go. He’s been a good servant for the club. He has scored some vital goals for us, but also brings that certain “je ne sais quoi” to the club. If he does go, and go to the Chavs, it will definitely break lots of hearts. Selling to a direct rival is not something we should be happy about. 

We will be looking for our fourth away win (yes really) this season, and a tough away game awaits.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to make his debut in this mid week game that kicks off at 19.45 uk time.
The Armenian international has settled in to training well, and looks content. The swap deal between him and Alexis was visionary by Wenger and I believe that time will tell the tale of us getting the better deal. 
Swansea are a danger team and they will be buoyant from their beating of Liverpool last week. Beating the top team of the league and being beaten by the bottom team in the league is a feat that is very....Liverpool and should serve as a warning to all teams going to the liberty stadium. The swans are not going down without a fight and add to that their “physicality” we could be in trouble. 

Swansea will be without midfielder Renato Sanches after he suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup fourth round draw at Notts County over the  weekend.

Frederico Fernandez is set to return, though, after missing the cup game because of a nose injury.
Arsenal are boosted by the return of Olivier Giroud following a hamstring injury but fellow forward Danny Welbeck (hip) is still missing, as is Santi Cazorla (Achilles).
Match Facts
  • Swansea City have lost four of their last five Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W1), including losing each of the last three in a row.
  • Carlos Carvalhal will be the seventh different Swansea manager that Wenger has faced in the Premier League, in what is the 14th meeting.
    • Arsenal have scored in all six of their away Premier League games against Swansea - only at West Brom (12) and Birmingham (7) do they have a better 100 per cent record.
    • Arsenal have only lost one of their last 34 Premier League games against the side starting that day bottom of the table (W27 D6), losing 3-4 at Blackburn in September 2011.
    • Swansea have won seven points in their four Premier League games under Carlos Carvalhal (W2 D1 L1), two more than they'd picked up in the 12 games before his appointment (W1 D2 L9).
  • Thoughts

  • It’s been a busy week and it will continue right up until Wednesday night and the transfer window closes. 
  • If the Aubamayang deal goes through it will have been a very productive window for us. Out with Walcott, Coquelin and Alexis. In with Mikhitarian, Movropanus and hopefully Aubamayang. However we still have the business of three points at stake. 
  • We will be trying to succeed where Liverpool failed against a very defensive Swans team. 
  • We must keep up the intensity and speed we have shown in recent matches against Chelsea in the League cup. 
  • Monreal has been brilliant for us, with Bellerin crossing for him in the box. It was Ozil’s fantastic cross that lead to him being responsible for the most unusual goal of the season so far, to make it all square in the carabao cup. 
  • Ozil has become integral to our core team performances and long may he continue. 
  • Jack Wilshere has also been amazing and both need to sign their contracts and settle the deal.
  • We should have enough in our tank to beat Swansea. 
  • It doesn’t have to be pretty football, but hopefully if our forwards are getting the service they deserve, we will make it count. 

  • Safe travels to everyone going. If it is to be Giroud’s last game, make it a good one. Keep up the atmosphere as only gooners can. Enjoy! 

  • Spicy x

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