Stoke vs Arsenal Preview: opposite styles collide

Morning all,

We kick of our second game of the season this afternoon at Stoke. While I look forward to every game we play, the game at Stoke is always my least favourite. Completely opposite philosophies are pitted against each other and it will be intriguing as to which one wins today, if any at all. Yesterday Swansea set the tone, out passing a physical West Ham and comfortably beating them 3-0. That shows that if we get into gear, they'll find it very difficult to stop us. One advantage we have going into the game is the new Premier League rule which has set a fixed pitch size. Their pitch now has comply with this new rule - therefore  it is thankfully bigger than it has been in previous years - which is explained in this article. That will obviously suit us and our style of play and Stoke will not be able to hide behind a narrow field. It also helps us with Delap's long throws, the pitch is wider and he hopefully won't be able to get it in the danger zone. 

In team news, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit once again but Koscielny will miss out due to a calf strain. There have been doubts over Szczesny as he has a slight rib injury - he will undergo a fitness test. Other than that, and the long term absentees, we have a fully fit squad. I expect mainly the same line up to last weeks draw at the Emirates. If Szczesny is fit, he'll start in goals. Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelan and Gibbs across the back. Diaby and Arteta as deeper lying midfielders and Cazorla in the advanced role. From here its going to change a bit from last week. I expect Podolski to deputize on the left to give us a bigger goal scoring threat, while Walcott will keep his place on the right. Giroud will start up top to impose his physical presence which can be vital in both offense and defense. 


---------------------------Szczesny----------------------------

Jenkinson--------Mertesacker-------Vermaelan--------------Gibbs

----------------------Diaby-------Arteta-----------------------

---------------------------Cazorla-----------------------------

Walcott------------------------------------------------Podolski

----------------------------Giroud------------------------------


We have the option of picking Chamberlain for the left wing to give a more creative threat but I feel Podolski will start. We will need to be on our game from the first whistle and the midfielders will have to work hard off the ball. Mertesacker has to impose himself on Peter Crouch. Crouch has a knack of scoring against us. We also need to stop the deliveries into the box. The fullbacks will have a vital role in stopping the crosses. We cannot give away too many free kicks inside our half. Its vital that we are disciplined when it comes to tackling. If we do all that and continue to play our game, I'm confident of coming away with the 3 points. 

My prediction: 
Stoke 0 - 2 Arsenal

Have a good one, remember their will be a match review after the game.

'Till Then 


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