Predicted lineup v Swansea: Flamini in for Arteta, Kallstrom debut?

Match Preview – Match Facts – Predicted Lineup

Arsenal suffered a damaging 6-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday and something’s got to change this week against Swansea.

Firstly, Laurent Koscielny will be unavailable after suffering a calf strain as confirmed by Wenger in his team news today, meaning Thomas Vermaelen will come in alongside Mertesacker, while Gibbs’ mistaken red card has been overturned. There is talk of a possible inclusion of Fabianski but there’s little basis behind the reports.

The midfield needs a shake up, Mikel Arteta was overrun and needs Mathieu Flamini either alongside him or in place of. It seems like it could be a game for the double pivot midfield, as will Manchester City.

The Arteta-Flamini partnership has worked well at home, and faltered on the road. With Wilshere and Ramsey out still it appears Wenger will go for the more experienced duo rather than handing Kallstrom a debut. That said, surely this is a game for the Swede to demonstrate his ability?

Oxlade-Chamberlain looks set for a role on the right again after a disastrous outing in midfield over the weekend. In fairness he tried to get things going for the Gunners, but it was an afternoon to forget for the young Englishman. Serge Gnabry could also provide an option on the flank.

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Lukas Podolski didn’t really have much of a chance to shine against Chelsea and was substituted in the wake of Gibbs’ red card. Wenger has a couple of options, either field Santi on the left and Rosicky centrally or play the German again with Cazorla in behind Giroud. The latter seems more likely with Wenger cautious of Rosicky’s susceptibility to injury. Remember City come to town next weekend.

Olivier Giroud is really our only option up front. He has thrived in these types of matches against, well, basically anyone that isn’t in the top four. Wenger could throw a spanner in the works and field Yaya Sanogo, stranger things have happened. Giroud was lackluster on Saturday and wasted a moment that could have changed the face of the game.

Here are two potential two lineup’s: