Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesSwansea's Spanish striker Michu has been lethal of late and now takes aim at the Gunners on Saturday.

On Saturday, large portions of Arsenal's supporters will march in protest against their club's uncelebrated age of inertia. Conversely, Swansea City's fans are still prostrate in awe at their side's stunning mid-week performance over West Brom. The two sides might have much in common on the field -- mainly making more passes than Sid James under a mistletoe stick -- but off the field, the clubs fortunes couldn't be more different; a big club in danger of becoming a small club and a small club in danger of becoming a big club.

Of course, things aren't really quite like that. The Swans are more than holding their own in the top flight this season, but Arsenal are still a big club, and a trip to the Emirates is still one of the six biggest away games on the Swans' calendar. While Olivier Giroud might not have quite filled Robin Van Persie's boots (who could?), he can still be a handful for a side unconvincing at defending set pieces. The one blot on the Swans' West Brom copybook was, after all, a goal conceded from a corner.

Theo Walcott seems to be playing like a man trying to earn a new contract, though he seems to have missed the meeting where Arsenal actually offered him one. If Walcott passes a late fitness test, the winger will be a challenge for full back Ben Davies, who might fancy his chances following his best ever game in a Swans shirt. Leon 'Leeeooonnnnn' Britton will have the unenviable task of keeping Santi Cazorla in check, while the Swans own attacking Spaniards might be able to goad the Gunners' defence into giving up a few gilt-edged chances. Everyone else seems to be able to, and the Swans forwards are in lethal form.

Of particular interest will be seeing how rangy and elusive Michu matches up against Per Munstersacker. The brick wall at the back seems to have finally acclimatised to the English game, but might actually pose more problems for the Swans at the other end (see: Pieces, Set). The Swans are likely to rest emergent star Pablo, who picked up a thigh strain while doing his best Michael Laudrup impression on Wednesday, which means Arsenal will get a small reprieve (probably from Southampton for an undisclosed fee).

Also out of the game will be Swans former striker and current forgotten man Danny Graham. Graham is listed as suffering from a 'mystery illness', which seems to get worse every week and is thought to be a combination of not-getting-picked-for-the-team-itis and transfer-listeria. This means Laudrup is likely to play Michu as lone striker once again, and insert Jonathan de Guzman between wingers Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer. Alternatively, we might see Itay Shechter come back into the side as striker, with Michu in the hole and either de Guzman or Ki Sung-Yueng deeper in midfield.

At any rate, owing to Pablo's absence, the Swans will be denied the chance to establish some continuity with the new-found line-up which proved so effective against West Brom, which is a shame. Last season's side were unfortunate to come away from the Emirates with a 1-0 loss following a freak goal, while at home the Swans won 3-2 in one of the side's best performances. This year's Swans side are better, while Arsenal are momentarily stuck in neutral (seven years is a moment, right?).

This is a game with points on the table for either side, and if that seems obvious, it's not often that a small club like the Swans have as even a chance of winning as their big six opponents. Whether they'll manage it will depend on whether the group can ride the mid-week wave of inspiration a little further, and on which Arsenal side decides to show up. Arsenal are still a top team on their day, after all.

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