After a thrashing of FC Basel in the Champions League, the Gunners will turn their attention towards the Premier League, as a visit of an all confident Stoke side has been scheduled for the 15th week of the Premier League.
Lucas Perez struck his first ever Arsenal hat-trick against the Swiss side and the young Iwobi went on to add another strike to add more misery in Basel’s slump. The last time Stoke visited Emirates, they faced an utter humiliation, as the Gunners scored two goals past them.
Looking at the recent form – in all competition – it is Stoke who are coming out as a winner, as they have won four of their last six games and have lost once, drawn once. Arsenal, on the other hand, have won just 3 of their last six games and have lost once, drawn twice and this weekend’s Premier League odds stand at 1.40 in favour of the Gunners.
The ninth placed Stoke side will be hoping to get the better result this time out as a win would take them above the sixth place Manchester United with 22 points, but Arsenal will be hoping to give the same thrashing of previous year, as a win is all Arsenal need to stay in the title race.
Arsenal vs Stoke City Team News:
Arsene Wenger provided a huge boost ahead of the clash, as he mentioned that the flashy right back, Hector Bellerin, might play the fixture, while Francis Coquelin, who missed the midweek’s game due to suspension, will also be available for selection.
“From Tuesday night we have no injuries, I hope,” said Wenger.
“Everyone looked to have recovered well.
“Coming back into the squad we have Coquelin who was suspended, and maybe Bellerin who has a fitness test today.”
The sure absentees for the Gunner would be Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker, but the manager said that the duo is recovering well.
Furthermore, the manager also commented on the surgery of the veteran midfielder SantiCazorla.
“For me it’s to say any surgery is perfect, but you can say it was needed and it went well.
“After you have to see how he recovers. I’m positive he will recovery very quickly, but once you open your body at top level sport it means that it’s two months before you can play again.”
Predicted Line-Ups:
Arsenal starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Cech; Monreal, Koscielny, MustafiBellerin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil; Coquelin, Walcott, Xhaka; Sanchez
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Grant; Pieters, Muniesa, Johnson, Martins Indi; Arnautovic, Shaqiri; Adam.Diouf, Imbula; Walters
Arsenal vs Stoke City Stats:
- Arsenal have won each of their last 14 home games in all competitions against Stoke City, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
- Stoke’s last away league win at Arsenal came in the first game of the 1981/82 season, with Lee Chapman scoring the only goal of the game.
- Arsenal are now on a 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League (W9 D4 L0); their longest such run in the competition since a run of 16 games that ended in April 2011.
- Stoke City have lost only one of their last nine Premier League games (W5 D3 L1) and have won their last two matches in the competition without conceding a goal.
- The Potters have lost all eight of their visits to the Emirates in the Premier League. Only at Old Trafford have they gone longer without a win since being promoted in 2008 (nine games, W0 D1 L8).
- Alexis Sanchez scored twice and assisted another goal in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Stoke in January 2015.
- Sanchez has had a hand in 25 goals in his last 25 Premier League appearances for Arsenal (18 goals, seven assists).
- This is Sanchez’s joint-best goal return after 14 apps of a league season in Europe (11 goals), equalling his 11-goal tally for Barcelona in 2013-14. If he scores in this game, it would be his best goalscoring start to a European league season after 15 games.
Prediction:
Arsenal surely have an upper hand in the game as the stars like Sanchez, Chamberlain and Xhaka are in top form, but they cannot overlook the fact that the Potters do have a strong attacking team as well with Arnautovic and Shaqiri being the main pivot.
The Potters will surely be happy with a point, but Arsenal will face slump if they drops more point. A must win for the Gunners, and we personally think that they will be victorious.
2-0 Gunners