da betano casino： Arsenal will be looking to continue their recent winning run when they host Swansea City on Saturday.
da brwin： The Gunners have won five on the trot in the Premier League and are now only two points behind Manchester City at the top of the table.
They welcome a Swansea side who have just had a change in management after replacing Francesco Guidolin with American Bob Bradley.
Wenger will be wary of the effect this will have as the Swans players look to impress their new boss.
The Frenchman knows he will need to put out a strong team against a side who has a good record when visiting the Emirates.
Arsenal have failed to win any of their last four home games against the Welsh side and have only managed one draw in that time.
The Gunners will be keen to grab three points on Saturday and keep up the pace in their title charge. Here’s the starting XI we think they need to play to ensure all three points.
GK – PETR CECH
As Arsenal’s regular first choice, Petr Cech is a certainty to start in the league.
Second-choice David Ospina has performed admirably in the Champions League against Paris St Germain and FC Basel, but the Czech is as reliable as they come.
The former Chelsea man has kept clean sheets in his last two games against the Blues and Burnley and will be hoping for more of the same as the Arsenal defence continues to go from strength to strength.
RB – HECTOR BELLERIN
Another man nailed on for the Gunners is Hector Bellerin.
The Spaniard’s spot has never been in doubt since he broke into the Arsenal first-team back in 2014.
The right-back’s pace will be necessary to break through the Swansea ranks and could also come in handy should Bradley field pacy wingers Wayne Routledge and Modou Barrow.
Bellerin was not called up for Spain’s recent internationals against Italy and Albania and should therefore be fresh for the weekend’s game.
CB – LAURENT KOSCIELNY
Laurent Koscielny keeps on showing how valuable he is to Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman was rested for the first match of the season against Liverpool and the Gunners crumbled, letting in four goals.
Since the 31-year-old has returned to the first team however, the North-London side have only conceded three goals in six games.
Perhaps more importantly, Koscielny has shown strong leadership as captain of the side in the absence of Per Mertesacker.
CB – SHKODRAN MUSTAFI
While Koscielny has been arguably the standout defender this season, credit should also be given to his new partner.
The German has looked at home at the Emirates since making his £35m move from Valencia, slotting seamlessly into the Gunners’ backline.
Arsenal fans have been screaming for a reliable centre-back after inconsistent performances from Per Mertesacker and Gabriel last season and they finally seem to have got their wish.
The 24-year-old is a shoe-in to face the Swans on Saturday.
LB – NACHO MONREAL
Nacho Monreal is another defender who has quietly and consistently gone about his game.
The Spaniard has made the left-back slot his own, keeping Kieran Gibbs out of the first team.
While not as quick as the Englishman, Monreal is sound defensively and unlikely to get caught out of position while dealing with Swansea’s wingers.
One part of his game he can improve upon is his attacking returns, with the 30-year-old yet to deliver a goal or assist so far this campaign.
CM – SANTI CAZORLA
The centre of midfield could potentially be a minefield for Arsene Wenger.
Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny have impressed when they’ve played, while Francis Coquelin has just returned from injury.
Aaron Ramsey will also be pushing for a start when he returns.
We’ve opted for Santi Cazorla as part of the pivot this week, however, with the Spaniard’s guile and ability to pick a pass important to unlocking what could be a stubborn Swans defence.
CM – GRANIT XHAKA
We’ve chosen Granit Xhaka to partner Cazorla after a fine start to his Arsenal career.
The Swiss international has stamped his authority on the engine room with tough tackling and solid distribution.
The £38m man will act as a screen for the Arsenal defence while allowing Cazorla to press on with the Arsenal attack, although Xhaka is also able to pick out his teammates with sweeping long balls.
There is also the possibility of a long-range goal should Swansea park the bus – the midfielder produced rockets against Hull City and Nottingham Forest.
RW – THEO WALCOTT
One man who has stepped up his game this season is Theo Walcott.
The England international already has three goals and three assists this year, just two goals short of his record last season.
There is always a risk that Walcott will go missing – as he showed over the international break with England – but based on his form at club level, the 27-year-old has to play.
Wenger will have options should Walcott struggle, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench and Alexis Sanchez available to move onto the wing.
CAM – MESUT OZIL
One of the first names on the team sheet, Mesut Ozil will be vital to Arsenal’s attacks.
The German can make or break the game in the first quarter of an hour should the Gunners decide to storm the Swansea defence with attacking pressure.
Ozil is arguably the best playmaker in the Premier League and managed the most key passes of any player last season.
With pace on the wings and up top, Ozil should have plenty of options if he can get into the game.
LW – ALEX IWOBI
After impressing last season, Alex Iwobi had to wait for his chance in the first-team this time around.
The Nigerian has grabbed his opportunity with both hands, however, delivering three assists despite only making five appearances.
The 20-year-old is fearless and direct and will give Kyle Naughton or Angel Rangel a torrid time if he is at his best.
Wenger will hope that is the case on Saturday and is likely to give Iwobi the nod.
ST – ALEXIS SANCHEZ
With Olivier Giroud ruled out and Wenger unlikely to give Lucas Perez the nod in an important league game, Sanchez should continue up front for Arsenal.
The Chilean initially struggled as Arsenal’s lone forward but seems to be adjusting now after managing four goals and three assists in his last five league games.
Sanchez has been central to every Gunners attack this season and will fancy his chances against Swansea if Bradley fails to sort out their defence in time.