Swansea City vs. Arsenal: 5 Keys to a Gunners Victory

Arsenal versus Swansea City this Sunday is a difficult-looking away fixture. Not many teams have taken maximum points from the Liberty Stadium this season.

The Gunners found Swansea tough to break down at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the season. Arsene Wenger's team barely escaped with a 1-0 victory after Andrey Arshavin pounced on a goalkeeping blunder.

Swansea have shown themselves to be a technically proficient and highly-capable passing team during their debut Premier League campaign.

They offer a stern test for an Arsenal team struggling to find routes to goal in recent matches. With the home support behind them, Brendan Rodgers' team will punish any continued Gunners struggles in front of goal. 

Here are five keys for Arsenal getting their top-four challenge back on track and scoring a hugely significant away victory.

5. Find the Right Answer to the Gervinho Dilemma

Arsene Wenger has to find the best solution to replacing departed Ivory Coast star Gervinho. There are many candidates to occupy the former Lille man's position on the left side of the Gunners attack.

Work-shy schemer Arshavin may not be everybody's favourite choice, but the Russian could be desperate to take what would surely be his last chance to prove himself at Arsenal.

Other candidates include Yossi Benayoun and Tomas Rosicky. Either of this creative duo would help Arsenal's short passing game.

But they lack the trickery to defeat a marker one on one that Arshavin is capable of when the mood strikes.

Returning hero Thierry Henry is another candidate. Henry has caused a lot of damage to opposing defenses throughout his career by attacking from the left flank.

But in Arsenal's current formation, the wide players are required to act more like link players and double up as traditional midfielders when the situation demands.

This may be too much to ask of Henry as he looks to gain full-match sharpness. This kind of role is also not the best use of the attacking outlet offered by the club's all-time leading goal scorer.

Wenger may be forced to once again hope that Arshavin will locate his motivation and appetite for the game. He is temperamental, but when Arshavin does get it right, he usually produces something spectacular.

4. Push Alex Song Further Forward

Recently, Alex Song has been confirming a long-held view by this author, that he might be at his most effective in a more advanced role.

Arsenal should consider moving Song further forward and letting him drive at Swansea's defense. Song has the strength and determination to be real danger when powering forward.

He also possesses underrated technique and fast developing creative instincts. Viewed for so long as a defensive shield, Song could be starting to become a vital attacking outlet for the Gunners.

Song's increased forays forward would require intelligence and positional discipline from Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey.

3. Control the Threat Posed by Swansea's Wing Trio

The biggest danger to Arsenal's defense will likely come from the wings, where Swansea are well-stocked with a trio of pacey and talented wide players.

The Welsh outfit can call on star man Scott Sinclair and either one of their diminutive tricksters, Wayne Routledge or Nathan Dyer.

The Gunners back four may struggle with central defenders being slotted into unfamiliar full-back roles. These makeshift defenders will need all the help they can get from the midfield players and wide forwards.

2. Win the Possession Battle

The best way for Arsenal to limit the threat from wide areas will be to simply dominate possession. It is usually a given that Wenger's teams will enjoy the majority of possession in almost any game.

But Swansea controlled the ball for long periods of time at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal were recently guilty of allowing Fulham to own the ball for most of the second half at Craven Cottage.

It will be up to players like Ramsey and Arteta to be composed on the ball and efficient with their passing. Patience will be the key in possession.

If the Gunners are content to retain the ball and methodically pass amongst themselves, natural openings for scoring opportunities will occur by themselves.

1. Be Precise When Supplying Robin Van Persie

The supply line to Robin van Persie, which was once a strength of the Gunners this season, has been very poor in recent games.

Theo Walcott, in particular, needs to get back to the direct, decisive style that saw him lay on a host of goals during the Dutchman's phenomenal run in 2011.

With the right kind of supply, van Persie has proven himself to be a poacher of the highest calibre. His quick and intelligent movement allows him to usually be on hand to turn in a smart pull back across the box.

If Arsenal's skipper and Walcott can re-establish their early-season connection, the Gunners will once again find goals easy to come by.

Pressure Is Mounting on Arsenal in Race for Top Four

There may be five months of the season still to go, but the pressure is beginning to build on Arsenal and their chances of retaining their lucrative top-four status.

After slipping up against Fulham, the Gunners must quickly get back on track in order to keep pace with Chelsea and stay ahead of Liverpool.

Swansea away has been a stifling fixture for many this season, but with the visit of Manchester United looming, maximum points are a must for Arsenal this weekend.