Ki guns for a win

SUNG TELLS PALS TO UP THEIR GAME

KI SUNG-YUENG has challenged Swansea to finally start delivering on the pitch.

Paul Clement’s men have won just two Premier League games this season and face a daunting trip to Arsenal this afternoon.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in May, midfield pass master Ki wants the Welsh side to sidestep another battle to beat the drop.

He said: “I’ve been here for five years now and last season we had some difficulties with the performance of the team.

Pressure

“But at the end of the last campaign we showed our desire and we had enough quality to stay up. We have to show them again on the pitch.

“If we just keep saying it and not doing it, there is no point. Sometimes we play well and sometimes we don’t.

“There is always pressure on the team because this is the Premier League. We have to deal with it.”

Swansea have taken eight points from their nine games so far and must face the Gunners without injured trio Wilfried Bony, Renato Sanches and Martin Olsson.

After making his first start following a knee injury in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United, Ki knows Swansea will have to up their ® game to get a result. A goalless draw with Tottenham at Wembley last month does provide Clement’s side with some encouragement.

“We haven’t won a lot of games this season and we need to overcome this situation quickly,” said South Korean ace Ki, 28.

“I believe that with the players in this squad we have enough quality to handle the pressure.

“If we win one game, the situation will change quickly.

“We have to focus to face Arsenal and then Brighton. These two games are going to be massive for us.

“We have had good wins against Arsenal in the past. Of course it is going to be difficult and they have enough quality to beat us.

“They are likely to have the ball more than us but I think we have to be solid. We have good memories against them and will try our best to win.”

Olsson’s hamstring problem leaves Clement without a specialist left-back. Sam Clucas and Kyle Naughton are options in that position, while Ki is pushing for a starting midfield spot.

“I’m almost 100 per cent, my knee isn’t a problem and my body is telling me I’m ready to play,” he added.

“If we can’t win, we need to try and take a draw. I fully believe that with the players and manager we have here we can bounce back.”