Stoke City vs Arsenal live streaming: Watch the Gunners kick off March away

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, Arsenal, Stoke City, Premier League, Arsene Wenger, NBC

Stoke City has lost only once from their last five meetings at home against Arsenal, and they would like to keep it that way. Watch live on NBC Sports Live Extra as the Gunners try to stay within the top two.

Preview: Last victory for Arsenal at the Britannia was in 2010

The last time Arsenal won a match at the Britannia, was in February of 2010. A 1-3 victory for the Gunners was the least of their concerns that day, as Aaron Ramsey was stretchered off with a broken leg, after a Ryan Shawcross tackle at midfield.

Ramsey will not be available for Saturday’s match, but two of the scorers from that victory will.

Nicklas Bendtner got the Gunners on the board that day, after they went down in the eight minute. A 90th minute spot kick from Cesc Fabregas gave the Gunners the lead, with Thomas Vermaelen adding his name to the score-sheet in the 94th minute.

Obviously Cesc will not be available, but both Bendtner and Vermaelen will be in the squad on Saturday.

“Vermaelen is back in the squad, Ozil is back in the squad,” said Arsene Wenger in his press conference. “If needed, Thomas can play in the left back position. It is not his preferred position and he has been out for a long time now but we’ll see. I still have 48 hours to make a decision.”

Defeating Stoke away from home will not come easy for Arsenal, but the North London side has been quite impressive away from the Emirates this season.

With eight victories from 13 matches away from home, Arsenal have the second best away record in the Premier League. Only Tottenham has one more victory, but they have also played one extra away fixture than the Gunners.

Coming off their solid performance at home against Sunderland, Arsenal will want to continue their Premier League form at the Britannia.

From their last 10 domestic matches, the Gunners have won seven, lost one at Anfield and drew two. During that time, they have outscored their opposition 19-10, while earning themselves five cleansheets. From those 10 goals conceded, four were scored by
Liverpool.

Stoke City’s away record has not been nearly as impressive, but luckily for them, they have been able to grind out results at home.

A 5-6-2 record at the Britannia has earned the Potters 21 points from a possible 39. Away from home, they have only one victory, while losing 10 and drawing three. Had they been able to grab more points on the road, they could have distanced themselves from the relegation zone. At the moment, just three points separate them from 18th placed Sunderland, making home matches much more important.

The hosts will be without Oussama Assaidi due to a knee injury, and Robert Huth will face a late fitness test.

Arsenal’s list of injuries is much longer. Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are out for the remainder of the season, but Aaron Ramsey and Kim Kallstrom are nearing a return, but are only expected back mid-March.

Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs are also in doubt for Saturday, but if they both miss out, Arsene Wenger will be forced to play Vermaelen at the left-back position. The Belgian’s size and pace will help, but his over aggressive nature could give the hosts a load of free-kicks to knock into the box, looking for Peter Crouch.

Stoke need the three points because the relegation zone is very close. Continuing their good streak at the Britannia against the Gunners will be their main focus, while Arsenal will not want to let the three points slip away. They will take the pitch at the same time as Chelsea, but a slip-up from the Blues could see Arsene Wenger’s go back to the top of the Premier League.