Swansea City Vs Arsenal Preview: Please stop the bleeding

One of my favorite things to do after an Arsenal game is to watch the highlights after the game, it gives me a good refresher on how Arsenal scored and conceded their goals. After the mid-week game, I made no attempt to watch that game’s highlights. The way that game transpired was simply unacceptable, that game illustrates why everyone on the internet and on this site is calling for more defensive players rather than the offensive, attacking players Arsenal seems to be linked to every week. After that game, I have no confidence that this team will be on the rise anytime soon, so my prediction and my reasons explaining my prediction will not please many optimistic supporters.

Prediction: Swansea City 2-1 Arsenal

More from Pain in the Arsenal

1) An Unstable Defense

Last year this defense was very solid, but it was filled with question marks on all four positions. Arsenal have been hammered with injuries and that doesn’t help a defense that is by far our thinnest position. The defense does have some bright moments, showing their true potential at times, but there are many more times which convince me we don’t practice or play defense at all. There is no excuse for losing a 3 goal lead, and the players on the pitch need to quickly learn that defense is everyone’s job. The back four isn’t good enough to survive on their own and Arsenal need to start defending as a team. Swansea have a good attack and I don’t see Arsenal making any changes anytime soon.

Jun 26, 2014; Recife, BRAZIL; United States midfielder Brad Davis (14) knocks the ball away from Germany defender Per Mertesacker (17) during the first half at Arena Pernambuco. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2) What Happened to Aaron Ramsey

Last year he was magnificent, this year he has fallen short of expectations. I know Ramsey hasn’t played poorly, but he hasn’t been the engine that pushes the team forward like last year. We need Ramsey to step up his game and play with the same aggressive mindset he had last year. Hopefully we will see him take his game to the next level, because if he doesn’t Arsenal won’t score enough to beat Swansea.

3) Tired legs

Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to use players like Joel Campbell truly baffles me. When a team is struggling the way Arsenal has been, sometimes all that needs to happen is a lineup change. I doubt Wenger will do that, and the result will be more injuries and further fatigue. Let’s just hope that the next Arsenal injury isn’t Alexis Sanchez.

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