Arsenal take on Stoke City this Saturday, in their fifth league match of the season. This match-up has become a rivalry of sorts in recent years, so it should be an interesting 90 minutes, to say the least.
The Gunners have had a rocky start to their league campaign, only winning half their games, both of those on the road. It’s been their worst start to a league season since 2006, which will bring some concern. A first home win will be great for the overall morale – and if it doesn’t come this week, questions will begin to be asked.
The international break has just finished, and Arsenal have had a couple players on form over the week. Aaron Ramsey ran the Welsh national team’s midfield against Israel last weekend, especially in the second half, while Alexis Sánchez made sure he was only nine goals away from being Chile’s all-time top scorer – a fantastic achievement considering his age and his clear devotion to his country. Laurent Koscielny also made a Man of the Match-worthy performance for Les Bleus, lining up alongside Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.
Arsenal’s last match was a 1-0 win vs. Newcastle. The Gunners were defensively solid throughout the game, and passed the ball around well in their usual fashion, but failed to break down the Magpies defence for large parts of the game, settling for a Fabricio Coloccini own goal to give them a much needed three points – Arsène Wenger’s side will need to be much more penetrating this time round. Aaron Ramsey picked up the Man of the Match award, really driving at the Newcastle eleven, getting in between the lines and creating some very good chances. It will be the Gunners’ first match since the closing of the transfer window, in what has been a frustrating one for the Emirates faithful. Only the one signing has hindered an approach for the league title, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal have the quality to challenge for the league, although already being five points off pole position isn’t the best of signs.
Going up north, Stoke have been climbing up the ladder as a result of their great summer window. Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay join Bojan Krkic, Marc Muniesa and Mame Biram Diouf as the five Champions League winners in the squad – talented starlet Marco van Ginkel joins on loan, Spanish striker Joselu and Philipp Wollschield all join – the last two on permanent deals.
The opposition lost in their last Premier League game, in a 1-0 home defeat to West Brom, the goal coming from Baggies new boy Salomon Rondon. Mark Hughes’ side finished the match with nine men, with new signing Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam being sent off in the 25th and 31st minutes respectively. Stoke will go into this match weakened, although they do have the depth to cope with it, with players like Jonathan Walters and loanee Marco van Ginkel available to be called upon, if needed. They’ve had a shaky start to the season, not yet having won a league game – their worst ever start to a Premier League season – and that’ll give Arsenal some encouragement despite the raw talent amongst the Potters’ ranks.
A player Stoke will want to watch out for is Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman has been in great form over the past couple weeks, contributing on not only a club level but also for his home nation. He scored at the Emirates against Stoke two seasons ago, a goal which – as the celebration after dictated – meant a great deal to him. Looking to create the chances for the team once more, as well as trying to get off the mark for the season, the stage is set for Ramsey to deliver.
A player Arsenal should want to keep an eye out for is Marko Arnautovic. Always a feisty character for the back four to deal with – more for his personality, rather than his ability – his power and aggression will put pressure on the Gunners’ defence. The Austrian was involved in the long-term injury of Mathieu Debuchy last time these two teams faced off, so the N5 back-line will be wary.
The last time these two teams matched up, it was an easy 3-0 win for the home side. A goal from Laurent Koscielny and a brace from Alexis Sánchez rounded off a comfortable evening for the hosts – here’s hoping the Islington faithful will witness a similar performance.
It will be a physical match-up despite how Stoke have conformed in the last couple of years, and the match will be decided via the power of each team, and the flanks. It promises to be entertaining like previous match-ups, but quality will prevail in this case.
Team News
Danny Welbeck was announced to be out until Christmas and beyond after knee surgery, effectively curtailing his season. Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are both out with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam are both suspended after their antics a couple of weeks ago. Peter Odemwingie and Ryan Shawcross, a player unliked to say the least by Arsenal fans, are both out injured with hamstring and back problems respectively.
Predicted XIs
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin; Ramsey, Özil, Sanchez; Giroud.
Stoke (4-2-3-1): Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters; van Ginkel, Whelan; Walters, Shaqiri, Arnautovic; Diouf.
Prediction
A 2-0 win to the Arsenal, with goals coming from Alexis Sánchez and Aaron Ramsey. Stoke will pose a threat towards the end of the game, but Arsenal will have themselves a cushion at that point, with a two goal lead as quality prevails over power.
