Arsenal Vs Swansea City: It’s A Game Of Momentum

Arsenal have struggled away from home this past week. On Saturday, they have the opportunity to create some momentum, travelling to Swansea City.

Earlier in the season, the struggles that Arsenal faced seemed to come at the Emirates. They lost to Liverpool on the opening day, were fortunate to squeeze past Southampton thanks to a late Santi Cazorla penalty and were fortunate in beating Swansea City, the team that they now face, in a 3-2 win.

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However, the away form was exemplary. They only failed to win one away game in the Premier League through August, September, October and the first half of November and that was a scrappy 0-0 draw to Champions Leicester City in the second week of the season.

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Nonetheless, throughout the recent poor run of from stretching all the way back to early December, it has been their travels that have plagued them. Two away losses at Everton and Manchester City in December began the troubles. These were then confounded by a dramatic 3-3 draw against Bournemouth and an extremely lucky 2-1 win over Preston in the FA Cup just last weekend.

Arsene Wenger’s side have lost the momentum that they crafted so expertly early in the season, culminating in a three-goal demolition of now league-leaders Chelsea, a team that have only lost one game since, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs last Wednesday. The Gunners, though, even in their wins over West Brom and Crystal Palace during the festive period, have been less than convincing.

They have lacked the same fluency in possession, have been exposed defensively, firstly due to the absence of Shkodran Mustafi and then thanks to his rustiness on his return against Bournemouth. The midfield has been heavily depleted with Francis Coquelin suffering a hamstring issue that will sideline him for the next month or so and  Mohamed Elneny in Gabon with the Egypt national side at the African Cup of Nation while the verve and vibrancy in the attacking third has seemingly been lost.

As Wenger prepares his side for the return fixture with Swansea, his side are not only need of a win but are yearning for a confidence-inspiring hammering. In recent displays, while results have not been particularly disappointing – Arsenal are unbeaten, failing to win just one game in all competitions since the Manchester City defeat – there is lacklustre feel to the squad.

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The title race is one of momentum. Being able to create in, being able to preserve it and being able to harness it.  As of now, Arsenal have very little of it. The trip to the Liberty Stadium provides the perfect opportunity to build some.