Gervinho set for Arsenal recall against Swansea

Dec 1, 2012 8:40:00 AM

Arsene Wenger is believed to be considering starting the Ivorian up front in place of Olivier Giroud, who may be rested after playing the last seven matches for the Gunners

By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Arsenal are preparing to recall Gervinho to the starting XI against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon and play him up front, Goal.com has learned.

Arsene Wenger is weighing up whether to rest Olivier Giroud, who has started the last seven matches as the team's spearhead, for the 3pm clash.

Gervinho has not begun a match for the first team since the club's 2-0 Champions League defeat at Schalke on October 24.

Goal.com understands that Giroud is likely to be one of four changes to the team that drew 1-1 at Everton on Wednesday night. The Frenchman is set to be joined on the bench by Aaron Ramsey, with injured pair Bacary Sagna (foot) and Laurent Koscielny (thigh) both sidelined.

	GERVINHO GUNS DOWN SWANS
6/1	Gervinho is 6/1 with Paddy Power to score the first goal for Arsenal against Swansea

Lukas Podolski will return to the Arsenal line-up after missing the midweek trip to Goodison Park, which was the first time in 19 Premier League and Champions League matches since he joined the club that he had not figured in the starting X1.

Podolski and in-form Theo Walcott are set to flank Gervinho, who responded with five goals after being used as the team's front man in the early weeks of the season.

He broke down with an ankle injury sustained in the 1-0 win over QPR on October 27 and has made three substitute appearances since returning to action.

Kieran Gibbs, who came on in the fourth minute against Everton to replace the injured Koscielny, is set to start at left-back against Swansea, with Thomas Vermaelen moving across to centre-back to partner Per Mertesacker. Jenkinson will come in for Sagna.

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