Arsenal V Stoke City

Kick-off: Saturday 5^th December – 15:00 GMT

Venue: The Emirates

Arsenal

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: DWWLL

This really could be a ‘make or break’ part of the season for Arsenal as some difficult fixtures await them over the festive period. Their recent drop in form, losing back-to-games for the second time this season on Sunday, means the pressure cooker is rising a few degrees on Arsene Wenger as the debate on not only how will Arsenal cope without their talismanic forward, Robin Van Persie, but also whether or not Arsene Wenger will swallow his youthful pride and dip into the transfer market in January as, in many people’s opinions, Arsenal desperately need strengthening.

The mood in the Arsenal camp will be bitter to say the very least this week after not only suffering a bitter defeat at the hands of Chelsea last weekend, made worse by it being at The Emirates, but the kids were also knocked out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, a match which see Man City run out 3-0 winners over the Gunners and Arsene Wenger leave the pitch in one of his famous hissy fits. Wenger refused to shake hands with Mark Hughes come the end of the game, scampering down the tunnel like a child, so will his childish antics have a negative affect on the players mindsets heading into what is still a tricky fixture, regardless of Arsenal possessing home advantage.

The biggest question asked of Arsenal of late was how they would cope without Robin Van Persie, a player who can not only create goals but can also score a fair few, as well. The Dutch forward was on seven league goals for the season before suffering an ankle injury while on international duty, with Van Persie now out of action and unavailable for Arsenal action until well into the new year, an estimated four months out of the game. Eduardo has since attempted to take over the big role and shoes Van Persie has filled up front but has failed to make the desired impact when needed. The Croatian international has only managed two league goals all season but will he not get a better chance to bolster his poor tally then a home fixture with Stoke City?

At The Emirates, generally a very happy hunting ground for Arsenal, the Gunners were unstoppable before Chelsea paid them a visit last Sunday. The blues’, guided by Carlo Ancelotti, were in a rampant mood and although Arsenal did play some very attractive and sweet passing moves, they failed to create too many clear cut chances, while Chelsea stuck the few they did manage to create away. At the end of the day, Chelsea were far more clinical then the Gunners and Arsenal paid the price. With Van Persie now out for a sustained period of time, Arsenal look extremely lightweight up top and you can only think, what with Nicklas Bendtner still out injured, also, that a new forward thinking face is needed to spice up the ranks and bolster Arsenal’s limited attacking options.

Nevertheless, Arsenal should still have enough, even up front, to overpower Stoke City at The Emirates in a must win game for Arsenal as three defeats in a row could have a devastating affect on the mood of the camp heading into a game with Liverpool the following week. Eduardo looks likely to start up front, again, although since he’s taken on the mantle from Van Persie, Arsenal have failed to score in two fixtures. Eduardo’s last league goal came over 720 hours ago in a 4-0 rout of Wigan Athletic, back in September. Perhaps, with Eduardo struggling to find the net, the midfielders; Arshavin, Fabregas, Samir Nasri, will have take some of the responsibility and chip in with a few themselves.

Stoke City

League Position: 9th

Recent Form: WDLWD

Stoke have made a terrific start to the season and already find themselves in an extremely healthy position in the league, with The Potters in a more than boast-able league position of 9^th, and have spent the past several weeks occupying top ten status. Their hard working and tenacious attitude on the pitch is just two of many reasons why the Stoke camp has enjoyed such a successful start to the campaign, but as they’ve found out last season, and in parts this season, there is a still a huge gulf in class between them and the leading contenders in the league, so will a day out at The Emirates result in an epic failure for Tony Pulis & Co.  

Stoke have only visited The Emirates once in recent history, that coming last season in their first ever stint in the Premiership. After a poor showing in London on their previous trip, Tony Pulis will be eager to avoid such an emphatic result at the second time of asking. Stoke did beat Arsenal 2-1 at The Brittania, home of Stoke, but that incredible victory over the Gunners was overshadowed somewhat by the 4-1 defeat inflicted on them in the reverse fixture.

Stoke have made a very good start to the season but their impressive early season form has come about through their superb record at The Brittania. 4-1-2 is their current record at home this season, while you can compare that to their poor away showing of 1-4-2 to see that Stoke have clearly gained the vast majority of their points back on home soil. However, how can we forget their surprise defeat of Tottenham Hotspur only a month ago when they beat Arsenal’s bitter rivals 1-0 at White Hart Lane, a stadium only a brief walk away from The Emirates.

On the road, Tony Pulis tends to set Stoke up in a ’safe’ manner. They aren’t adventurous, the stick plenty of numbers behind the ball and they work their socks off to close the opposition down. Stoke have become a set-piece specialist under Pulis, but one of their biggest aerial threats, Ryan Shawcross, will miss the trip to Arsenal, and with Stoke’s biggest goal threat coming from set-pieces, that could leave them a little light when they do make a rare appearance in the Arsenal third.

Stoke’s away defensive record is very impressive, conceding just eight away goals in seven away outings. Only Liverpool (4) and Hull City (2) have managed to score on more than one occasion because of their defensive mindset when on their travels but this has, inevitably, lead to a big drop in goals actually scored by themselves. The Stoke forward line has broke through on just four occasions away from The Brittania, whilst they’ve failed to score in three away outings and have yet to score more then one in any away game this season.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Arsenal W: 1 Stoke City W: 1 Draws: 0

It’s honours even so far between the two but it was Arsenal who gained the upper hand last season with a resounding 4-1 victory over Stoke last season, at The Emirates. However, that result was nothing unexpected as the Gunners were gunning for revenge after previously suffering a 2-1 defeat at The Brittania, the home of a hard-working Stoke City.

Arsenal have often been found wanting against sides superior in strength and physical stature and this was clearly evident at The Brittania last season. The Potters rustle & bustle approach to games has earned them so much respect around the league, especially from the big boys, but that style of play is accustomed to most managers so will it work this time around? Arsenal learn from their harsh lessons at The Brittania last season by dishing out a spanking of their own at The Emirates. Could another high scoring Arsenal win be on the cards in just Stoke’s second visit to The Emirates?

Match Verdict:- Arsenal to WIN – 1.30 Boylesports

Anything but a home win for Arsene wenger and Arsenal would be a big shock and a massive setback in their bid to stay in touch with Chelsea. The home defeat to Chelsea last Sunday will have dented the the morale of the Arsenal camp, especially as the Gunners have now lost two on the spin, and another defeat would be far too costly. Stoke will look to pose a threat from set-pieces, as per usual, but that probably won’t be enough and for Stoke to take anything from The Emirates they will need to put in one heck-of-a defensive shift.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.30 Boylesports

Draw – 5.50 PaddyPower

Stoke City – 13.00 Bet365

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Arsenal to WIN to NIL – 2.10 totesport