Arsenal will continue their search for an unlikely top four finish this Saturday when they visit the Bet365 Stadium to play Stoke City. After back to back wins against Manchester United and Southampton, the Gunners are sure to be high on confidence going into this game.
However, Stoke City have always been a difficult opponent for Arsene Wenger. The Potters have lost just once in their last eight home games against Arsenal, with the Gunners having a poor 12.5% winning rate away against them.
But losing will not be an option this time as it means Arsenal missing out of the Champions League spot. And with the last win away against Southampton, which didn’t happen since 2003, will surely keep their spirits up. Another major psychological barrier would be Stoke manager Mark Hughes. The Welsh manager is unbeaten against Wenger in his last eight games.
However, Stoke City are currently experiencing a terrible patch. They have drawn one and lost four of their last five games against league’s top six sides. To top that, The Potters have won just twice in their last 10 league games, losing six.
Possible Arsenal XI vs Stoke City
Defence
Petr Cech will continue to take his place under the bar. He was brilliant against Southampton in the last game producing some match-winning saves and Wenger would hope he remains focused.
The back three aren’t expected to change anytime soon. Laurent Koscielny was a doubt in the central defence last game and within just a three-day gap, it is hard to imagine him returning. Hence, we expect Shkodran Mustafi to continue taking his place. The German looked composed at the back after returning from injury and led the pack from the back.
He will be partnered by the emerging Rob Holding and outstanding Nacho Monreal. Starting three games in a row, the two wide central defenders have looked unfazed by fatigue.
Midfield
Hector Bellerin will start on the right wing-back after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was taken off last game with a hamstring injury. Though Wenger claimed it was more of a precautionary measure ruling out any possibility of seriousness, the English winger is expected to be out of at least this game.
The other flank will be taken by Kieran Gibbs. He has been quite agile in that role of that and the manager would hope some assists from him now.
The central midfield looks controlled with Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey there now. The duo has the perfect mix of work rate and impeccable passing and could inflict serious damage on Stoke.
Attack
The front trio is expected to remain the same. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will start behind Danny Welbeck as playmakers. Sanchez has been brilliant for Arsenal away from home and Wenger would hope to fire the club to top four.
