Gunners seek to rebound

SWANSEA. — Arsenal will bid to erase the painful memory of their embarrassing League Cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday when they return to English Premier League soccer action at Swansea City today.

Arsene Wenger’s side have endured a frustrating week after the high of hitting the head of the Premier League table last Saturday by beating Everton.

The Gunners’ stint at the top lasted just 24 hours but they will attempt to maintain the pressure on leaders Manchester City when they travel to the Liberty Stadium. However, Wenger’s side will head to south Wales still smarting from a dismal 3-0 League Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Wednesday in midweek.

The pain of that defeat was compounded by the loss of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) and Theo Walcott (calf) to injury, with both players out until the coming international break which means they will also miss next week’s Champions League visit to Bayern Munich.

With Aaron Ramsey also sidelined, Wenger will be forced to turn to his fringe players including Alex Iwobi, who is in contention to make his Premier League debut on the right flank.

Wenger is keen not to move Santi Cazorla from the centre of midfield following the Spaniard’s impressive run alongside Francis Coquelin.

The 30-year-old admits he is enjoying the switch to a deeper position.

“It’s a position I really like, though of course it means I’m further away from the opposing area so I have fewer chances to score,” Cazorla said.

“I’m finding my best form and I’m really enjoying the new position,” he told Arsenal’s website. “You have different responsibilities. In terms of defence, you have to defend more and you have to help the team more in terms of making sure you’re well-positioned to ensure the players in attack can stay fresh.”Mesut Ozil will be expected to maintain the form that has seen the Germany international provide more assists than any other Premier League player this season.

And former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry believes Ozil is finally demonstrating the form that persuaded his old club to pay £42 million for the player two years ago. — AFP.