Robert Madley is officiating in place of Kevin Friend. The Arsenal match announcer sends the club's wishes to Friend, who collapsed at Bournemouth last night.

Arsene Wenger puts his trademark coat on as Swansea's players huddle near the centre circle.

John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Emirates Stadium

"Arsenal's poor performance against Manchester United has been roundly criticised by all and sundry, but everybody has got a bit carried away.

"While the focus has now turned to their trip to Tottenham on Saturday, this game with Swansea could be even more pivotal.

"If they don't win, their title chances would be all but over.

"It's not a game they can take lightly, either. Swansea have a good record at the Emirates, with two wins and a draw on their last three visits, and they gave Tottenham a good run for their money on Sunday.

"With three games to come against fellow relegation rivals, the Swans would love to go into those fixtures on the back of a morale-boosting result."

"What a cool haircut, I thought you were Sergio Aguero," referee Robert Madley says to the young Swansea mascot. "You're a better footballer than him I bet."

To be fair, it's a great bit of styling. Shaved high on one side, the little kid looks like a pop star.

Ashley Williams briefly discusses the snow as he drinks a bottle of water. "Come on let's do this," comes a cry. Here they come...

A solitary mascot awaits the players in the Arsenal tunnel. A smile on his face, he looks game.

Image source, .

It may not yet be panic stations for Swansea but defeat tonight and a Newcastle win at Stoke would bunch up things at the bottom.

Francesco Guidolin's side have lost two games in a row and are without a win in four.

"We are under pressure, it is imperative we don't lose a third game in a row," said first-team coach Alan Curtis. "We go to the Arsenal game looking to pick something up at least."

We have rain and plenty of it at Emirates Stadium. A slick surface awaits which you would think will allow the home side to zip the ball about in the way they like.

Image source, Reuters

Swansea coach Alan Curtis reacts the news head coach Francesco Guidolin is in hospital: "He has probably complained for a week or so, we thought it was a chest infection. It turns out he has an infection in his lung. The course of action is he just needs to rest up and hopefully he will be OK for the weekend. You can tell he wasn't right. He's in the right place in hospital and comfortable. Hopefully we can pick him up by getting a result."

It's a cold one in north London, a lot of hoods up, some fur hats, hot food being devoured.

The players are slowly vacating the pitch. Alan Curtis was mucking in with the Swansea warm up, laying off passes for players to shoot.

Danny Mills
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 live

"This is another great chance for Arsenal to win the Premier League. But how many times have they been here before?

"I didn't get why they played Theo Walcott up front at the weekend. They need to have Olivier Giroud as the target man and the focal point.

"You have to ask: does the burden of failure hinder Arsenal?

"Leicester and Tottenham don't have that and that could be helping them right now."

The criticism of Arsenal has been scathing in the aftermath of the weekend's meeting with Manchester United...

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness: "Arsenal today bordered on being a joke for me. Arsene Wenger must be tearing his hair out. This Arsenal team just doesn't have 'it' - and I'll stand on my head if they prove me wrong and go and win this league."

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour: "The big players didn't turn up and at the back they were all over the place. They're going for the title and I didn't see the desire and the grit in their performance. I didn't see the togetherness that you've got to have at this stage of the season."

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson: "If Manchester City don't win the league and Tottenham or Leicester do then Arsene Wenger has to go."

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand: "Arsenal's major failure in recent years is not investing in LEADERS. People that grasp the moment, that set the right tone at the given moment."

The masses slowly roll into Emirates Stadium...

Image source, Getty Images

There will be intense focus on this ground tonight. Arsenal took a lot of criticism following Sunday's defeat at Old Trafford. This is it now, title push or failure...

Harsh but true?

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Oscar, you'll be pleased to know that Theo Walcott has been benched...

Arsenal make three changes as Laurent Koscielny misses out with a calf issue, prompting a recall for Per Mertesacker.

Joel Campbell gets the nod over Theo Walcott while Olivier Giroud is in for Danny Welbeck who drops to the bench.

Image source, .

Swansea make a number of changes as only captain Ashley Williams keeps his place in the back line after defeat at Tottenham. It's a Premier League debut for Stephen Kingsley at left-back.

Leroy Fer makes his first start since joining from Queens Park Rangers and Wayne Routledge is chosen ahead of Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The sixth change sees Alberto Paloschi dropped to the bench despite scoring at White Hart Lane. Bafetimbi Gomis is preferred. 

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin wore a number of layers in defeat at Tottenham on Sunday and it seems he has been under the weather.

The former Udinese manager will miss tonight's game as he has been taken to hospital with a chest infection.

Hopefully he is OK. Will his absence lead to chaos or a call to arms?

Arsenal live in hope of glory. Their opponents tonight live in fear of the ultimate Premier League failure.

Image source, Getty Images

The relegation zone - like a shark in pursuit - has its mouth wide open as it looks to claim three unfortunate sides just months before a huge Premier League TV deal comes into play.

So surely Swansea City must dig in and scrap to hinder Arsenal's title push? Time ladies and gents, is running out for everyone.

Despair at Old Trafford on Sunday. Chastised for a poor display. Title dreams over.

Image source, Getty Images

Fast forward to Wednesday and after a Leicester slip up, there is a chink of light at Arsenal. 

This team - so often criticised for their weakness and shortcomings - still have the chance to shut up all those who doubt them.