I suspect that Gnabry may play 60-70 minutes and if we are winning then Monreal can replace him. We are going to miss Walcott’s running in behind that’s for sure. While Gnabry was a sprinter in his younger years, he doesn’t run in behind like Walcott does. Given that Swansea are an attacking team, we need that outlet. Perhaps we will approach the game a little differently. Maybe pushing Özil closer to Giroud and play a deeper midfield four rather than three forwards ahead of Özil.

Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea means that a victory at Swansea will keep us at the top of the table. At the time of writing this, I am watching Manchester United play without any flair and imagination. The Arsenal, Swansea game should be far more entertaining and I cannot wait for it to start. It’s a tad frustrating that we have to wait until 5.30pm to watch the game.

Maybe Per Mertesacker can get an extra two hour leg massage after his 120 minute exploits on Wednesday.

The squad should be the same as it was against Stoke City, unfortunately we do not have anyone returning from injury just yet, Rosicky being the closest. This could give us a slight problem as Gnabry played the full 120 minutes against West Brom in midweek, will Arsene start him again so soon? In an ideal world he wouldn’t but with all four first team wide players out injured, he may not have a choice.

What Arsene could do is start Arteta alongside Flamini centrally and push Aaron Ramsey to the right, Wilshere left and Özil floating behind Giroud. That seems the best choice in terms of experience but what you don’t want to do is move your most influential player into a new position when he is in red hot form.

I suspect that Gnabry may play 60-70 minutes and if we are winning then Monreal can replace him.

We are going to miss Walcott’s running in behind that’s for sure. While Gnabry was a sprinter in his younger years, he doesn’t run in behind like Walcott does. Given that Swansea are an attacking team, we need that outlet. Perhaps we will approach the game a little differently. Maybe pushing Özil closer to Giroud and play a deeper midfield four rather than three forwards ahead of Özil.

We have been in full grind mode after losing so many players to the treatment table, we might have to try and pull one more out the bag before our injured crew start heading back. This looks to be our most difficult game of the season so far given that it is away from home. That being the case, I’d be fairly content with a draw but another away victory would be bloody marvelous.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Özil, Gnabry, Wilshere, Giroud

Come on the Arsenal