Paul Clement makes his home bow as Swansea manager this weekend when Arsenal arrive at the Liberty Stadium in a vital Premier League clash for both sides.

Appointed a couple of weeks ago, the former Derby County manager oversaw a confidence-boosting 2 – 1 win at Selhurst Park in the Swans last league match. That win dragged Crystal Palace into the relegation battle and gave the Welsh club hope of clawing their way to safety.

Those points may be the last Swansea accrue in the next six games; they face four of the top five, as well as defending champions Leicester City. It’s as tough a run of fixtures as could be imagined.

Goals are the Swans problem; they’ve managed just four in the last six games while leaking sixteen in the same timeframe. Little wonder Bob Bradley was relieved of his duties.

Arsenal are bouncing back from the defeats at Everton and Manchester City. Swansea will take hope from the 3 – 0 lead Bournemouth took against the Gunners but will need to be wary of the three Arsenal scored without reply in the last twenty minutes of that match, as well as the two they scored to overcome Preston in last weekend’s FA Cup tie.

Olivier Giroud is on fire in front of goal at the moment with four in his last four. Away from the Emirates, he’s netting every 44 minutes and an assist every game. Alexis Sanchez is averaging a goal a game on the road; Arsenal have the attacking potency, the question is whether the defence will hold firm.

German international Shkodran Mustafi has recovered from his hamstring injury which heralds a return to the pivotal partnership with Laurent Koscielny.

Until their pre-Christmas back-to-back defeats, the Gunners were looking stronger defensively compared to previous years. They need to regain that composure, and this is the match to do it in.

Clement’s spell in charge at Derby County proved him a capable manager, and with Carlo Ancelotti’s blessing, he took over at Swansea. His arrival has given them a boost already and with Arsenal the most vulnerable of the big clubs, this might be the match for them to spring a surprise.

SWANSEA CITY v ARSENAL HEAD-TO-HEAD

Arsenal have won 3, drawn 2 and lost just one of their last six visits to the Liberty Stadium.

Head to head matches: Swansea City - Arsenal FC

15.10.2016	Prem	Arsenal FC	Swansea City	3:2
02.03.2016	Prem	Arsenal FC	Swansea City	1:2
31.10.2015	Prem	Swansea City	Arsenal FC	0:3

Latest matches: Swansea City

07.01.2017	FA C	Hull City	Swansea City	2:0	L
03.01.2017	Prem	Crystal Palace	Swansea City	1:2	W
31.12.2016	Prem	Swansea City	Bournemouth AFC	0:3	L
26.12.2016	Prem	Swansea City	West Ham United	1:4	L
17.12.2016	Prem	Middlesbrough FC	Swansea City	3:0	L

Latest matches: Arsenal FC

07.01.2017	FA C	Preston North End	Arsenal FC	1:2	W
03.01.2017	Prem	Bournemouth AFC	Arsenal FC	3:3	D
01.01.2017	Prem	Arsenal FC	Crystal Palace	2:0	W
26.12.2016	Prem	Arsenal FC	West Bromwich Albion	1:0	W
18.12.2016	Prem	Manchester City	Arsenal FC	2:1	L

SWANSEA CITY v ARSENAL STATS

The Gunners have scored an average of 2 goals per game in their last six trips to Swansea. Arsenal have taken 1 point from the last nine on their travels; Swansea have taken three from the last nine at home.

SWANSEA CITY TEAM NEWS

• Neil Taylor should return to the Swansea side this weekend following his recent rib injury

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

• Mesut Özil, Kieran Gibbs, Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott are all expected to return to the matchday squad
• Petr Cech and Alexis Sanchez return after their rest in the FA Cup win over Preston North End.