It seems only yesterday that the two played each other in one of the most entertaining matches the English Premier League has witnessed this season. Arsenal started in a sloppy manner and duly conceded two goals; the Gunners did not wake up until Stoke City scored the third. Arsenal fought back bravely and brought the difference to just one but losing a man in the final minutes did not do them any favors. Stoke held on and took the three points.
While matches between these two are always big ones on the Premier League calendar, they are rarely spoken about as entertaining. The entertainment factor is just not considered relevant when these two play; Stoke tend to take a rough approach and not allow Arsenal to play their natural game. It is usually Arsenal which takes the initiative to be creative. Instead, in the last match, a new and improved Stoke took the game to Arsenal.
Stoke also managed a draw against Manchester United and will be confident coming into this one. Arsenal meanwhile did what they do best; after an improved run of form, they managed to hit the self-destruct button against surprise highflyers Southampton. Their FA Cup win against Hull City helped improve team morale a bit. Yet, this does not mean the match against Southampton has been completely forgotten.
As far as injury news is concerned, Arsenal is not doing very well as usual. Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere are out. Abou Diaby can be seen only on Arsenal’s holiday presentations; he cannot even be counted as a squad member because of the length of time he spends on the sidelines. Serge Gnabry is out as well. On the positive end, Mesut Özil is set to return after a long time on the sidelines. For Stoke, Peter Odemwingie, Victor Moses and Steve Sidwell are out.
Can Arsenal take advantage of Tottenham’s slip and collect three points? Interested in learning how you can watch the 2014-15 English Premier League? Check out our EPL Multi-Platform Broadcast Guide.
Arsenal vs. Stoke City team sheets
Arsenal starting XI: Ospina, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Cazorla, Alexis, Giroud
Stoke City starting XI: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Nzonzi, Whelan, Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic, Crouch
Arsenal Bench: Szczesny, Ozil, Walcott, Ramsey, Flamini, Campbell, Bellerin
Stoke City Bench: Muniesa, Ireland, Wilson, Moses, Adam, Sidwell, Butland
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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