Vermaelen expects Gunners to fire against Swansea

LONDON (AFP) - Thomas Vermaelen has backed his Arsenal team-mates to respond positively after a defeat by Premier League champions Manchester City and overcome Swansea City in their FA Cup third round replay.

Michael Laudrup's Swansea side will visit the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday hoping to repeat their December league victory against the Gunners and set up a fourth round trip to face Championship club Brighton.

They will arrive in north London to play an Arsenal side still smarting from a 2-0 defeat by City that left Arsene Wenger's side sixth place in the table and a huge 21 points adrift of leaders Manchester United.

Wenger made no attempt to disguise his frustration at a performance he described as "timid" although the French manager did commend his side's spirit after being forced to play 80 minutes with 10 men after Laurent Koscielny was sent off.