Rodgers wary of stunned Gunners

Arsene Wenger's Gunners will host the Premier League new boys, who currently lie a point above them in the table, on the back of their 8-2 capitulation against Manchester United at Old Trafford 12 days ago. A slow start to the season, which also saw a home defeat to Liverpool, has seen Wenger, who has seen key players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave for pastures new, come under intense scrutiny. But Swansea manager Rodgers dismissed talk that now is a good time to be travelling to the Emirates, and is wary of the dangerous mix of a side stung by their heavy loss being supplemented by signings such as Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Per Mertesacker. Rodgers, a former Chelsea reserve-team boss, said: "Having worked with big players before, I know when they lose they are determined to come back and win the next game. "Arsenal are a very dangerous opponent for us because of what happened to them and big players are motivated to get over a defeat like that. "Arsenal are a magnificent club. They had a very disappointing result in their previous game, but this was always going to be a tough game for us, like every other game. "I am sure they will be motivated to do well after losing to Manchester United, and they have new players in as well who will want to make a good start. "The task is still very difficult, but we are looking forward to going there, as our performance levels have been good in the games so far. We are going to a magnificent arena, to face some very good players. "Arsene has been a wonderful manager in this country, people talk about him being under pressure but any manager is under pressure, no more than the pressure you put on yourself to succeed." The Old Trafford defeat stung Arsenal and saw Wenger face criticism. Rodgers said: "That will have been a real low moment for him but I think his record speaks for itself. What he has brought to the British game, and the players he has developed, (means) he is one of the top managers in world football." Swansea's preparations for the trip to London have not been hamstrung by the hold-up over the signings of Darnel Situ and Rafik Halliche. The defensive duo, along with Federico Bessone, signed for the Swans on the final day of the transfer window. But while Bessone's move has received international clearance from FIFA, Situ and Halliche will have to wait for the chance to feature. Captain Garry Monk also is set to miss out as he continues to battle back from an ongoing foot injury, with Alan Tate beginning his lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a golf buggy crash. Striker Craig Beattie is another absentee after suffering an ankle injury in training. Despite his injury concerns Rodgers, who has yet to see his side register a Premier League goal, says his men will stick to their passing style, but must have the courage to take Arsenal on. He said: "If you don't think you can win then you should stay at home. "I am not stupid enough to think we can go there and open up like we have done. We want to play with our style and identity but we have to be tactically astute as well, and understand these type of games. "At this level you get the chance to play your game, there's no question. But you have to have the courage to play and that's the one thing with my players, they have incredible courage. "If you can impose your game there is a possibility to get positive results."