Let Michu be Michu - Laudrup
Michael Laudrup has seen his star player compared to Dennis Bergkamp and Mesut Ozil among others, but the Swansea boss is happy to simply "let Michu be Michu".
With the Swans facing Arsenal in Saturday's tea-time kick-off, comparisons have been made between the Spaniard and Ozil, who has quickly established himself as Arsenal's attacking fulcrum since his high-profile arrival from Real Madrid.
Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger even went as far as to put Michu in the same bracket as Dutch hero Bergkamp, who is fondly remembered by fans of the north London club thanks to his magisterial 11-year stint there, during which he registered over 300 appearances.
Laudrup acknowledges it is a considerable compliment for Wenger, who is celebrating his 17th anniversary in charge of Arsenal this weekend, to compare the two, but the Dane is happy to focus on the unique qualities his bargain B#2million signing brings to his team.
He said: "Michu is different to the other players we are talking about. They are smaller players physically, but you always want your players to work between the back four and midfield, in the hole, that's what you want.
"But he scores more goals than a lot of other players who play there. I don't think he's similar in the way he plays, he is a different kind of player, even if he plays the same position.
"People want to compare Michu to a lot of players. Just let Michu be Michu. Bergkamp and he are two different players, with Michu's height and physicality he is so important for us.
"I wouldn't compare him to Bergkamp, Ozil or Cazorla, but we're very pleased with what he is doing for us.
"For an Arsenal fan, Bergkamp is a very special player in the history of the club, so to talk about two players like that shows how much Arsene Wenger appreciates what Michu has been doing here for the last 15 months."
Captain Ashley Williams is a major doubt for the match.
The Wales defender has been struggling with an ankle injury and manager Michael Laudrup says he has less than a 50 per cent chance of featuring against the Gunners, with Jordi Amat set to deputise.
Pablo Hernandez will again miss out to due to a hamstring injury.
Arsene Wenger believes he was right to turn down the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and even the England job to stay on as Arsenal manager for 17 years - and would welcome ending his coaching career at the Emirates Stadium.
The Frenchman, who will turn 64 next month, has received the full backing of owner Stan Kroenke as his young team look to deliver a first trophy since 2005 with the London club embarking on what they hope will be a new chapter backed by increased financial resources, which helped secure the record B#43million signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
Following the disappointment of an opening-day 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, Wenger has since guided Arsenal safely into the group stages of the Champions League, to the top of the Barclays Premier League table and on Wednesday night saw the next generation come through a penalty shoot-out in the Capital One Cup at West Brom.
Wenger remains relaxed about his own long-term future, but made it clear he would have no issue with signing on again for the Gunners.
"Yes I turned many offers down because I rate what I've got here and I always thought that this club is special on that front. In our job it is important to know what you want and I rated the qualities that this club has always shown," said Wenger.
"I am very grateful to this club because during the 17 years we had ups and downs. They have always shown a big faith in me and they always let me do the job like I thought it had to be done, and if I am still here today it is because I got that consistent support from inside the club.
"Honestly, I would love to be here forever because that would mean I would be immortal! I am (though) not naive enough to believe that. What I would like to do as long as I am here is give my best for this club because I love this club, of course."
Former Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to have a fitness test on a thigh problem, as is Mathieu Flamini (shoulder).
England forward Theo Walcott, meanwhile, faces more than a month of rehabilitation after a minor procedure on an abdominal problem.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG