Byers bullish ahead of Arsenal crunch

11th April

George Byers insists Swansea City Under-23s will walk out at the Emirates Stadium in confident mood when they face Arsenal in a crunch Premier League 2 clash on Friday (7pm).

The young Swans are fourth in the Division 1 table, two points behind an Arsenal side who sit level on points with top-of the-table Leicester City.

Victory would see the Swans leapfrog the Gunners and challenge for the title in their season finale against Sunderland, and Byers feels both teams have it all to play for.

“Friday is a big game for both sides,” he said.

“We are full of confidence and looking to push on in the league and challenge at the top.

“We have had a fantastic campaign and produced some great results, so whatever the result I don’t think it will define our season.

“We will take the game by the scruff of the neck and try to take control straightaway. We’ll make sure we push for the win to finish the season as strongly as we can.

“We want to go for the title but we have to take each game as it comes.

“The start of the season was tough and the league’s competitiveness gave us a bit of a wake-up call, but we have risen to the challenge.”

The Swans have lost only once in their last 11 league outings.

When Arsenal came to Landore in November, Byers’ double helped the Swans to a 3-1 victory.

And the midfielder, who has taken his tally to eight goals for the season, says the Swans are relishing the prospect of a trip to the Emirates Stadium.

“It definitely adds an extra spice to the game,” Byers added.

“It will be a great challenge for us and it’s one we are looking forward to.

“We have beaten very good teams and that is why we are in the position we are in.

“It is a game we can definitely go and win. We just have to go and play our football.”