It has been a bit of a surprise for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that there have been questions over the qualities of Garry Monk as Swansea manager as the two managers go head to head at the Liberty this afternoon.

A run of five Premier League games without a win prompted some journalists - and fans alike - to question the future of the Swans boss which does seem incredible when you think of what he achieved for the club this season and the fact that his team are safely in mid table with just 25% of the season currently gone.

But none is more fickle than the future of football managers but last Saturday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park has reduced the pressure on Monk and silenced some of the critics - at least for now.

Wenger has of course been in charge at Arsenal for the best part of 20 years and therefore knows a thing or two about football loyalty and admits that he was surprised to hear of the stories regards Monk “He has surprisingly been questioned very quickly. I think he has done extremely well. Very quickly some rumours came up last week that he could be questioned. I was surprised because I think he’s done extremely well.

“I don’t know if it’s a good time to play Swansea in all honestly, we expect our opponents always to turn up with full commitment so we prepare ourselves to be at our best. I believe that’s the only way to prepare nowadays in the Premier League, not to expect any weakness in your opponent.

“The team are focussed to do well against Swansea. We are on a strong run in the Premier League, we are in a strong position and we want top grow game after game."

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