Angel Rangel was blaming some of the reasons for the Swans league position squarely on the Europa League as he looked forward to the Arsenal game but said the 12 games the Swans played in the competition has hit them hard.

The Swans European campaign began back in July and with four qualifying games, six group ones and the two legged affair against Napoli it was a tough run for the Swans meaning that the game against Arsenal on Tuesday is their 47th of a long season already.

And with that total to rise to 55 by the time they have played Sunderland on the last day of the season there will be very few sides who will have played more games by the time the season ends in any of the four divisions in England.

And that game tally is something that Rangel believes has contributed to the Swans league position where they find themselves just four points ahead of the relegation zone going into the game at the Emirates.

"We've got eight games until the end and every game is going to be like a cup final," Rangel said.

"The first two seasons in the Premier League have been fantastic, finishing 11th and in the top 10, so obviously the expectations this season were high.

"With the Europa League and all the games we've played, it has affected us in the Premier League.

"So we are not in the position we would like to be, but now is the moment to work hard for each other, to scrap for everything. There is nothing else.

"And if you get sloppy you know what is going to happen - you are going to get in trouble."

The Swans won at the Emirates last season with a victory that saw them win two games in a row in the league - the last time they achieved that feat and form since the victory at Wembley last February has been poor in the main with flashes of brilliance in between.

A familiar tale has developed where the Swans dominate many games but fail to take chances and concede goals too easily which is something that needs to be changed and quick.

Arsenal on Tuesday is followed up by the visit of Norwich on Saturday in a game that the Swans simply have to win with a trip to Hull the following week promising to be no more easier than the trip to the Emirates.

"At this stage three points could make a massive difference for us," Rangel said. "Hopefully we can repeat the performance we put in there last season, where we won in a great manner.

"If we win there, everything will change for the good."

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