Swansea v Arsenal Tips

Before Thierry Henry returned to roll back the years, I would have been sorely tempted to take on Swansea to win this match at odds of 4/1 (Betfred). They have been formidable on their own patch, losing just once all season, to Man Utd. But now with the prospect of Van Persie and Henry starting in tandem on Sunday, the Gunners look menacing in attack. I still think the Swans can hold their own though; a score draw at best odds of 17/4 (StanJames) looks like good business.

Of course we simply don’t know how effective Henry will really be at Premier League level at the age of 34. Monday night against Leeds may be as good as it gets. But if Van Persie continues his 2011 form then the Welsh side will do very well to keep another clean sheet at the Liberty Stadium anyway.

However, there is no excuse for under-estimating this Swansea City side anymore. They are mid-table on merit, winning 2-0 with a fine display at Villa Park in their last league outing. They have also held Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle and were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at the Emirates.

Best odds on Arsenal to win of 17/20 (Ladbrokes) are somewhat mystifying. Wenger’s team have lost more times than they have won on their travels and they have horrific defensive injuries. It’s for this reason, along with the Gunners’ frontline, that I’m ruling out a goalless encounter. But Swansea have drawn half their games at the Liberty Stadium, and I think they will do so again on Sunday afternoon.