There is no love lost between Arsenal and Stoke City, as they set to duel again this Saturday at the Emirates Stadium with both searching for a definitive result to ignite their respective season’s.
The Gunners have yet to hit top gear so far, and will be desperate to put an end to some recent miserable home form, failing to score in five of their previous six encounters in North London.
Currently sitting sixth with seven points and just three goals on the board, it is imperative that the Gunners find their mojo in the final-third to stay in touch with pace setters Manchester City.
For the Potters, it has been a below-par start to the campaign, after an enterprising summer in the transfer market that yielded some landmark acquisitions.
Just two points from their first four matches sees the midlands outfit currently occupy a spot in the relegation zone. This weekend will provide Stoke with an opportunity to claim a big scalp, as they look to get their season up and running.
Key Battle – Glen Johnson vs Alexis Sanchez
The corresponding fixture last year saw Alexis Sanchez utterly destroy his opposition, netting twice and providing a telling assist in a wonderful individual display. The Chilean, like the majority of his colleagues, has not quite hit his straps just yet in 2015-16, but will be a pivotal figure if the Gunners are to rekindle their attacking prowess.
A maligned figure at Liverpool, Johnson joined the Potters on a free transfer and has immediately cemented his place as the club’s first choice right-back. The marauding defender will need to tighten up though to curb the influence of Sanchez, in what shapes as a crucial dual in the context of the match.
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Team News
Arsene Wenger can call on defender Per Mertesacker who has recovered from an illness that kept him out of the past two matches. Laurent Koscielny suffered an injury scare on International duty with France mid week, but is likely to take his place in the starting line-up.
Jack Wilshere has suffered a slight set back to his ankle injury, while Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky remain out indefinitely.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes will be lamenting the ill discipline of Charlie Adam and Ibrahim Afellay, who are both suspended after receiving straight red cards in their last match against West Brom. Marko Arnautovic, Mame Biram Diouf, and Pete Odemwingie are all major doubts, while the manager is hopeful of Johnson recovering from a hamstring complaint.
Head-to-head
Stoke have travelled to Arsenal 47 times previous and have taken maximum points on just five occasions, the last time this was achieved coming back in 1983. The Gunners have won 13 consecutive home encounters against the Potters.
Previous Meeting
Arsenal swept Stoke aside to the tune of a 3-0 scoreline earlier this year, with Koscielny opening the scoring followed by scintillating double from the imperious Sanchez. It could of been a lot worse if it were not for Stoke’s former shot stopper Asmir Begovic, who made a string of impressive saves.
Prediction
What was once a contest of contrasting styles, the evolution of Stoke spearheaded by manager Hughes has meant they now make a concerted effort to play a more intricate passing game. The Potters will look to sit back and counter briskly, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan capable of causing headaches.
An early strike is key for the Gunners, as they look to finally find their groove at home after such a barren run in front of goal. Wenger’s men are over due for a convincing home performance, so it would be no surprise to see a dominant display from the home team.
Arsenal 2 Stoke City 0
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