By: Omar Jatta
Modou Barrow looks forward to playing a part in the Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Gambian forward is currently enjoying a good run of playing time since his return from Blackburn Rovers on a three month loan.
Having featured for the Swans in their 2 – 1 lost to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend the 23 year-old called on his army of Facebook followers to root for his team against Arsene Wenger’s side on Wednesday. Also called on The Gambian fans, even those who support Arsenal to cheer for the Swans.
Barrow made the call after reactivating his Facebook account, which he said was temporarily closed for many months to focus on his games.
“Back to FB after a long break, focusing on my games, wrote Barrow.
“Missing my peoples so we go again!
“Hard game against Spurs, but we keep going, Arsenal tomorrow, need all your support even the Arsenal fans in Gambia #Barrow 58”.
The Gambian winger endured a difficult time since joining the South Wales club, after struggling to cement a regular place in the team during his maiden season in the Premier League. He was shunted to various clubs in the lower leagues along with some cameo appearances in the Barclays Premier League without any sight of a break through.
But since returning from his three months loan spell at Blackburn, the forward now reckons he is getting better all the time as he bids to land a regular slot in Swansea City’s first-choice side.
Despite the lack of regular starts, with only three starts in the Premier League so far this season, the last of which came against Sunderland just over a month ago, the former Ostersunds player believes he is making progress and he feels he still has a lot to learn about the Premier League football.
The Gambian flyer is pushing hard for a regular start under new coach Francesco Guidolin following a number of bright displays from the bench. He has been really impressive in his cameo runs for the team with every given chance.
“I’m getting chances to come on, and for me I think I’m getting better every week. I’m getting better every game,” says Barrow, who arrived in Wales in the summer of 2014.
“A goal will come because every game I’m getting close.
“I’m learning every time I play.
“I’m learning from the training sessions, I’m learning from the guys and I’m learning from the defenders.
“I’m just trying to get better,” he added.
The three start and subs appearance in recent games definitely represents a significant step forward for a player who had begun just one top-flight fixture before 2015-16. But Barrow wants more — and a number of promising cameo appearances have suggested he deserves further opportunities.
“Like I say, I’m just working hard because we have good players in our squad who play on the wing,” He said in a recent interview.
“I’m trying to get better and improve all the time.
“Last season I improved and this season I’ve improved even more.
“A big target is to score my first Premier League goal, but right now I need to play for the team.
“The team is the most important thing.
“The fans are encouraging. They see I’m coming on, working hard and doing good things so that’s a positive for me.”
Barrow did enjoy a brilliant run against Gunners in his Swans Premier league debut, after creating the free kick that led the Swans equaliser scored by Gyfl Sigurdsson, before Bafetimbi Gomis went on to add a late second goal for a 2-1 victory after coming from a goal down. Barrow will hope he can replicate that performance against the Gunners if given a chance.
The nine Barclays Premier League matches between Arsenal and Swansea City have seen four wins apiece and one draw. Two of those wins for Swansea have come at the Emirates Stadium, however this is Swansea City’s worst tally of points in a Premier League season after 27 games (27). Bafetimbi Gomis scored the winning goal in both Premier League meetings with Arsenal last season from headers.
