please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Team News: (To Be Updated) Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Stoke City: Played: 98 Won: 52 Draws: 23 Losses: 23 For: 162 Against: 93 GD: 69 Last 6 meetings: Arsenal 3 - 1 Stoke City Arsenal 1 - 0 Stoke City Stoke City 0 - 0 Arsenal Stoke City 1 - 1 Arsenal Arsenal 3 - 1 Stoke City Stoke City 3 - 1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Manager's Views: (To Be Updated) My Team: please log in to view this image
No, but I won't have him in my team for this game. Rosicky was excellent against Sunderland, Chamberlain offers more pace and power.
Wenger said Monreal and Gibbs were doubts and vermaelen was in the squad but a big ask to play lb after such a long time out - I really hope one of Gibbs/Monreal is fit otherwise we could have problems!
I think I'd play Pod on the left as he has height & power over Cazorla & Rosicky. Wilshere & Flamini in the middle for me.
You think Jack is a good idea? I can see Stoke targetting him severely. I think I'd go with that team Oxo, but with Rosicky over Jack in the centre to add experience and drive on the counter.
I agree Bonstar - I like Jack in the CM role but I think Rosicky would be a much better option in this game - is more physical and speeds up the game more. Also I think he'd be less likely to pick up a yellow for retaliation than Jack. Plus Rosicky has been playing very well recently... Other than that I like Oxo's team
Agreed. Jack, love him though I do, is an easy young man to rile up. With Rosicky you still get the drive (and bite) but he's got a more mature head on his shoulders. ---------------------Chezzers------------------ Sagna----Merts-----Kos------Gibbs/Monreal/Verm -----------------Flamini---Rosicky-------------- ---AOC---------------Ãzil-------------Podolski--- ---------------------Giroud--------------------- Ãzil will have had a nice little break so should return well, AOC is on a good streak of form and Podolski adds that little bit of strength/battling needed in what I imagine will be a pretty tense game. That leaves you with a useful bench with the likes of Santi, Jack, Sanogo et all.
Personally I would like Ozil to start on the bench. Only give him 45 mins or so. That way we keep him fresh for the Second Leg against Bayern.
If we can the three points tomorrow, then I think that sends out a big message. Stoke might not be as good as they were under Pulis, but the Britannia is still a hard place to go. City could only manage a draw, and Chelsea lost. So, we can do something our title rivals failed to do, if we get the three points. Big game.
BBC match thread has the interesting stat that ozil has create dm ore chances for his team mates than any player in any of the top five European leagues this season. Let's not get on his back today, let's remember he is actually performing as one of the best players in the league.
MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Arsenal have only won once in their last seven visits to the Britannia Stadium in all competitions. That was a 3-1 victory in February 2010. Stoke City They have only won once in their last 10 league matches - a 2-1 victory at home to Manchester United on 1 February. Stoke have gone 14 matches without keeping a clean sheet in all competitions - conceding 26 goals in that period. Mark Hughes' side have scored in each of their last six league matches at home, with 12 goals in total. They have only lost one of those matches (W3, D2, L1). As manager of QPR, Fulham, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, Hughes is unbeaten in his last five home league matches against Arsenal. They have committed more fouls than any other team in the Premier League (360) and picked up the most cards (58 yellows, three reds). Arsenal Only Tottenham (29) have earned more points away from home than Arsenal (26) this season, but Spurs have played a game more. Arsenal have lost one of their last 11 matches in the Premier League - a 5-1 defeat away to Liverpool on 2 February. They have the best record in the league when facing opposition in the bottom half of the table - winning 13 of their 15 matches. Arsene Wenger's side have gone on to win all 11 league games in which they have been leading at half-time. That's the best record in the division. Mesut Ozil has created more chances for team-mates (73) than any other player in the top five European leagues this season.
