Arsenal v Swansea Preview: Wenger Set to Hand Debuts to Deadline Day Signings
Saturday, 10 September
Arsenal v Swansea
Emirates Stadium
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Last season: N/A
Arsenal will be without a number of key players for their home match against Swansea on Saturday, as Arsene Wenger's side look to bounce back from the 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United.
Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshire (both ankle) and Sebastien Squillaci (calf) are absent, while Thomas Vermaelen (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (knee) also miss out.
But Wenger could hand debuts to all five deadline day signings as Arsenal look for their first win of the season.
Vermaelen's injury means Germany international Per Mertesacker could partner Laurent Koscielny at the heart of Arsenal's defence, following his £8m move from Werder Bremen.
Brazil left-back Andre Santos is also expected to start while Mikel Arteta should feature after his £10m deadline day transfer from Everton.
Emmanuel Frimpong is available again after suspension, but Alex Song and Gervinho will serve the final match of their three-game bans, with Carl Jenkinson also absent after being sent-off against Manchester United.
Yossi Benayoun and Park Chu-Young are likely to start from the bench but Wenger will be confident his strengthened squad will be capable of overcoming newly-promoted Swansea at the Emirates.
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers admits this is not a good time for his side to be facing Arsenal.
"When you have worked with top players, you know that when they lose they are very determined to win the next game. They are a magnificent club and they have obviously experienced a very disappointing result," he told Reuters.
"I watched the likes of Theo Walcott coming off the pitch and they were hurting.
"I think it was always going to be a tough game for us regardless of their previous result. Their players will be motivated for the game and they have new players who will want to make a good start."
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