Stoke City V Arsenal Betting: Sunday, 24th January

Stoke City V Arsenal

Sunday, 24^th January – 13:30

Stoke City

FA Cup Progress: BEAT Stoke City (H3-1)

Stoke fans won’t have been cheering when they seen they plucked Arsenal out of the hat for their fourth round tie. For a club like Stoke where they take on the high and mighty week-in, week-out, they would have been disappointed with drawing Arsenal and would have wanted a far easier team than the Gunners in a bid to delve deep into the tournament, but the Potter’s have beaten Arsene Wenger’s men once at The Brittania already, claiming a 2-1 victory in the league last season, so there is nothing to say they can’t replicate that on Sunday.

Looking back to Stoke’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal last season, Tony Pulis will probably need to deploy a similar kind of set up in that he’s need to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm. Once Arsenal get the ball down and start playing the type of football that has brought them so many admirers they are close to unstoppable. However, Stoke used their ‘rustle & hustle’ approach last season and it worked a charm as they didn’t allow Arsenal to settle at any point. Stoke were superior in all the crucial battles; the 50/50′s, work rate, endeavour and, more importantly, in the air. Stoke nullified Arsenal’s biggest asset, their vastly superior technical ability, by using their main attribute, their aerial prowess, to their advantage. The were first to every set-piece and imposed themselves when in Arsenal’s penalty area, which is definitely something they will need to do again on Sunday if they are to have any chance of progressing.

The danger for Stoke is if they don’t do exactly what I mentioned above as Arsenal tore them to pieces at The Emirates earlier this season because Stoke gave them far too much time on the ball and the 2-0 scoreline was actually very generous on Stoke’s part. Arsenal battered the Stoke goal for the full 90 minutes, with Sorenson in the Stoke goal pulling off some stunning saves and some last ditch defending keeping the score respectable. Arsenal ran the show through their midfield because Stoke didn’t make full use of their aerial prowess and their strength, two of their strongest attributes which brought them so much success last season. Unfortunately, despite the fans wanting to watch some attractive football, Stoke won’t win this contest if they play to feet. This is a battle which can only be won in the air as far as Stoke are concerned. 

I do, though, have some bad news in that Rory Delap will miss this game with a groin injury. He was the sole provider and maker of Stoke’s goals in last seasons 2-1 victory over Arsenal and his absence will be welcomed by the Arsenal camp as his long throws are a nuisance to defend against. However, Stoke still dead-ball situations which they can use to their advantage and I hear Salif Diao has been practising his long-throws in case Delap should fall foul to injury… so all hope is not lost.

Stoke have, however, lost nearly as many games at The Brittania at the half-way point in this season than they did throughout the entirety of last season. Stoke lost just four of nineteen league games at home last season but have already fallen to three defeats in their opening eleven this season, which is a massive negative. Also, two of those three defeats did come against ‘Big Four’ opponents in Chelsea (1-2) and Man Utd (0-2), and they were lucky to earn a point against Liverpool at the weekend after Robert Huth scrambled home a 90^th minute equaliser to save them from falling to their fourth home defeat of the campaign.  

Arsenal

FA Cup Progress: BEAT West Ham United (A1-2)

Arsenal won’t hold fond memory’s of their last trip to The Brittania after they were beaten by The Potters 2-1 on their last visit, a defeat which clearly rocked Arsenal at the time. The Gunners, possible through immaturity, simply weren’t strong enough nor equipped to handle the physical approach from Stoke that day but they should be good for that harsh lesson as the fifth round beckons for an in form Arsenal side. 

Arsenal, despite a very shaky opening 20 minutes or so, did claim all the spoils in their contest with Bolton Wanderers in midweek. Arsene Wenger watched on from the sidelines as his Arsenal side, who knew they would have gone to the summit of the table with a win, started the game in a nervous manner, conceding after just 5 minutes but then conceding a penalty shortly after to leave Arsenal with a mountain to climb just to salvage some points. However, the pleasing thing come the end was the character of the Arsenal players and the desire they displayed in the second half to not only claw back the deficit but also win the game… by two clear goals, which was staggering.  

All in all, Wednesday night was a good day at the office as Arsenal were victorious. Their start was a concern but the way they finished the game was superb. However, the Gunners were fortunate to be at The Emirates that night, at home where all it needed was a goal to enlighten the fans and get them back on their side, roaring Arsenal to victory. A similarly bad start at The Brittania could be catastrophic as rarely do Stoke conceded that many goals and they are one of the toughest teams to beat at The Brittania so a 2-0 lead for The Potters could make them uncatchable. Still, that shouldn’t happen and we expect another tight game, but one which should go the way of the Gunners as some of their football at the present time is breathtaking and a joy to watch.

The one trait Arsenal will need plenty of is spirit, and this young but highly talented Arsenal squad shown plenty of that on Wednesday night and they should be extra motivated to show off their new found fighting belief this Sunday. It’s been far too long since the fans last had something to cheer about and a long and fruitful run in the cup would do a great deal in keeping the fans preoccupied and happy. However, Arsenal are vulnerable to intimidation so it’s crucial Wenger gets his starting eleven fired up for this clash as this will be a battle.

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 1.85 Expekt.com

The Stoke fans need no excuse to get right behind their team but we feel it will be in vein as Arsenal are the team to beat in the form book. Their Wednesday night fightback will have brought the Arsenal camp closer together and it was pleasing to see that Arsenal could come through a battle, and a battle is what they’ll get at The Brittania. Stoke’s best chance of overcoming the Gunners will be at home so they will give it everything but the only way we can see them scoring is through set- plays, and we’re sure Arsene Wenger knows all about Stoke and their danger from set-piece by now. We fancy Arsenal superior technical ability to outshine Stoke’s battling qualities as the Gunners march on in this tournament.

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 5.00 SkyBet

Draw – 3.50 PaddyPower

Arsenal – 1.85 Expekt.com

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Arsenal to WIN to NIL – 3.00 PaddyPower