Gunners welcome van Persie for trip to Swansea

Captain Robin van Persie returned to the Arsenal starting line-up after an extended break as Thierry Henry was made to wait for his first Premier League appearance in almost five years against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

Theo Walcott and Yossi Benayoun were back in the Gunners’ midfield while defender Johan Djourou was recalled after suspension and Per Mertesacker was passed fit after a virus.

Henry, who made a goalscoring second debut against Leeds in the FA Cup on Monday, was on the bench.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers was able to field his strongest side as Michel Vorm, Steven Caulker.

Scott Sinclair and Joe Allen all came back into the starting XI after being left out of the side for the FA Cup win at Barnsley.

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Caulker, Williams, Taylor, Dyer, Agustien, Britton, Allen, Sinclair, Graham.

Subs: Tremmel, Routledge, Monk, Lita, Moore, Richards, Sigurdsson.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Miquel, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Benayoun, Arshavin, van Persie.

Subs: Almunia, Rosicky, Park, Henry, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Squillaci, Yennaris.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)