On Sky
Stoke can feel aggrieved to have only come away with one point vs. Manchester City last weekend. The hosts looked the better side and pinned Pellegrini`s superstars back, whilst spurning some clear cut chances. Arsenal went one better with a 3-1 away win at the Stadium of Light, with boo-boy Aaron Ramsey bagging a brace.
Unfortunately for Stoke and Arsenal alike, the focus of this game will fall too heavily onto Aaron Ramsey and Ryan Shawcross. It seems that people are a tad obsessed with living in the past. It was an accident, Shawcross apologised and thankfully Ramsey has managed to move on and develop into the player that Wenger imagined when he signed him back in 2008. Hopefully his rich form comes to an end on Sunday, though.
Stoke City have adapted a lot better than fans and pundits alike predicted to their new passing style. Chances are being created throughout the squad and the midfield combination of Wilson/Adam/N`Zonzi seems to be developing into something steady. Arsenal on the other hand have invested in a player who I believe to be Europe`s best playmaker, Mesut Ozil. Hopefully Stoke City can bring an element of their physical game to the table on Sunday abd give Ozil a proper welcome to the Premier League (something tells me that Sunderland`s Sicilian contingency wasn`t exactly a red carpet reception.).
In my opinion, Ozil`s performance will decide the way in which the games goes. If he is underestimated then Arsenal will win, that`s just how good he is. On the other hand, I feel as though there are still questions to be asked of Arsenal`s back four and shaky Szczesny. The key for Stoke City on Sunday will be to try and combat Arsenal`s slick passing game and hopefully hit them on the counter. It won`t be easy but Arsenal`s back four is a clear weak point and they are also missing some key players through injury. The Emirates is hardly a fortress either, with Aston Villa looting 3 points on the opening day of the season.
Arsenal Team News:
Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Yaya Sanogo are all doubts.
Player to watch: Mesut Ozil
No words can describe this man`s talent. He will rely on Walcott and co. to stretch Stoke`s backline and then try to find the pockets of space in behind. If he finds this space then he will punish Stoke City on Sunday.
Stoke City Team News:
Marco Arnautovic could make his full Stoke City debut.
Player to watch: Steven N’Zonzi
He had Yaya Toure in his pocket last weekend and you get the feeling he’ll have to replace him with Mesut Ozil to stop Arsenal from penetrating Stoke’s defence.
Match Facts & Stats
Mesut Ozil created 3 chances in his first Premier League game vs. Sunderland.
Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet all season. That came against their fierce rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal`s only loss of the season came at home, against Aston Villa on the opening day.
Arsenal have shipped 5 goals in their opening 4 games.
Arsenal are 19th in the Premier League discipline table, having already received 2 red cards.
Stoke have already kept two clean sheets this season.
Stoke`s passing accuracy is 79%.
Stoke City have created 37 chances this season, compared to Arsenal`s 46.
Ref Watch:
Mike Dean
He has only refereed two games so far this season in the Premier League. In both of those games the away team has won. Omen.
Match Prediction:
If you`ve read any of my other previews then you`ll probably know by now that I am an optimistic man and that isn`t going to change today. I think Stoke can give it a real go at the Emirates on Sunday and nick a cheeky draw.
1-1, Arnie to cement his place as Stoke`s new crowd favourite. Swing low…
Next Fixtures:
Stoke City host Norwich City whilst Arsenal travel to Swansea.
