Lukasz Fabianski’s Swansea contract is deserved

Swansea will impress, though.

Monk was delighted with the outstanding display of Jefferson Montero, who gave Branislav Ivanovic a torrid afternoon before coming off with cramp.

Goals are what I’m fearful of this season and whether or not they will dry up. When he was asked this week what he might consider success for his Swansea City team this season, the 36-year-old’s response almost bordered on the bleak. “We protect ourselves in a certain sense but when players sign new contracts, they’ve earned it”.

“We know we will have to make the most of our opportunities, and when we have them we will need to move the ball quickly”. “The players are ready to take our football on to another level”. Andre Ayew can be deployed up front as well as wide with Montero, Routledge, Dyer able to fill in for him if he does.

Defensively we have a lot in strength in depth, too.

Mourinho, who this weekend is hoping to complete the £18m signing of Augsberg left back Baba Rahman, and is set to make a third approach for Everton defender John Stones, said: “Of course it is risky to stand still”.

“It’s very hard to read into preseason games as teams are experimenting, organising and preparing”.

De Gea will have to keep Tottenhams Harry Kane at bay, as the striker looks to build upon his breakthrough season last year where he scored 31 goals in all competitions.

“Obviously every player wants to do well against his old club, and I am no different”.

I don’t think any youngsters will break through this season apart from Matty Grimes, the England U20 captain.

This is without a doubt our first choice central defensive partnership. So I am calm and positive and believe he will be with us. Kenji Gorre has gone out on loan to sister club ADO Den Haag, and could be a name for the future, but not this season.

“I’d be lying if I said it’s not in the back of your mind when you have a good season – but I was never anxious”, Monk admitted. Jose Mourinho, however, stayed away from the criticism of their pre-season form saying that it was a good “training exercise” for his team.

The 33-year-old Cech won four Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge and his presence is expected to add some sternness to Arsenals backline.