Paul Clement hoping scouting mission at Arsenal pays off

Swansea boss Paul Clement hopes his Champions League scouting mission at Arsenal will pay off in a fashion he could never have imagined.

Clement was at the Emirates Stadium on St Stephen’s Day as Arsenal beat West Brom 1-0 in the Premier League. The then-Bayern Munich number two formed part of a Bavarian spying trip ahead of next month’s Champions League last-16 clash with Arsenal, before being given the job of trying to keep Swansea in the Premier League after the sacking of Bob Bradley.

“I saw them play West Brom so I have got my notes,” said Clement, Carlo Ancelotti’s former assistant, ahead of Arsenal’s visit to the Liberty Stadium today.