Michu's the man to stop

4th January

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Swans hot-shot Michu is the biggest threat to his former club ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie at the Liberty Stadium (1.30pm).
Keown, who will form part of ESPN's live matchday punditry team at the Liberty, believes the top-scoring Spaniard will be the man Arsene Wenger's team will need to stop if they hope to progress further in a competition they are desperate to win.
With Michu scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at the Emirates last month, Keown declared: "It's very hard to stop him.
"He's scored goals when the side has been doing well, but we've also seen him score goals this season when Swansea have been behind and struggling. That to me shows he is not afraid of doing some hard work.
"When Swansea, and in particular Michu, did that at the Emirates it made a lot of people sit up and take notice. They had been ticking along very well since getting into the Premier League, but when they went to Arsenal and won it really put them on the map around the world.
"I also thought Swansea completely outplayed Arsenal at the Liberty last season. It was incredible to see a newly promoted side out-pass Arsenal in the way that they did. That was some performance.''
With 14 goal to his name already this season, Michu is also looking forward to his first taste of the FA Cup.
"The win at the Emirates was good. It was good to score two goals as well, but I always want more," said Michu.
"I'm not happy with my chances against Villa because I had two chances and couldn't score. I want to score in every game.
"The FA Cup is a great competition with a place at Wembley at the end of it. When I came here I said I wanted to play at Wembley because it was a dream of mine. We are near in the Capital One Cup and now we have another chance in the FA Cup.''
Keown, part of the famed Gunners back four and with more than 300 appearances for the club, also sang the praises of Swans defender Ashley Williams, adding: "He is so comfortable on the ball.
"I remember watching him for Wales a few years ago and when he first came into the Premier League and there was a view he could be targeted. I don't think sides can do that anymore because he's excellent on the ball.
"Chico Flores next to him has also impressed me. He looks a good defender, he's quick, excellent in the air and that is a good partnership between the two of them.''
Praise for Williams has also come from Ray Wilkins and Chris Coleman.
"Some of the defending in the Premier League has been appalling this season, but Ashley Williams  has had a super past few months,'' said Wilkins. "He has been pretty much a stalwart for Swansea and done a wonderful job.
Former Swans defender and Wales boss, Coleman, added: "He's comfortable with the ball, quick, strong, very good defensively and his mentality is very good; he's a winner.
"In the last couple of months he's been terrific and he's one of the top defensive performers in the Premier League at the moment.''