After triumphantly defeating a resolute Marseille outfit to start their Champions League group stage, Arsenal play Stoke City on Sunday, in a match fuelled by tension. Despite the geographical distance between Emirates Stadium and Britannia Stadium, Arsenal and Stoke have developed a rivalry in recent years, largely because of Ryan Shawcross breaking Aaron Ramsey’s leg in two places, keeping him out of action for a considerable amount of time. This incident has not only led to conflict between both fan bases, but also between Arsène Wenger and, then Stoke manager, Tony Pulis, making each encounter all the more furious and enthralling. Arsenal’s neat, easy-on-the-eye, passing coming up against Stoke’s traditional English ‘knock it long’ approach was always going to lead to this type of hot headed action.
Indeed, the relationship shared between both sides is a rocky one, however shades of that brutal and tough Potters outfit have somewhat disappeared with the arrival of new manager, Mark Hughes. Hughes, whose style of play is very different to the rather physical culture that Pulis implemented on Stoke, has guided his team to an impressive start to the campaign, picking up wins against Crystal Palace & West Ham United, drawing against Manchester City and, despite losing 1-0 penultimately, surprising many with a positive performance away to Liverpool. Jermaine Pennant, who scored an 82nd minute winner at West Ham, is likely to feature against his former club in a shirt in which he probably didn’t expect to wear after his contract wasn’t extended in the summer, only for a new one to be put forth and subsequently signed once the new regime had arrived. Pennant, who spent six years with Arsenal and memorably scored a hat-trick on his full début against Southampton aged just 20, has found himself in an unfamiliar position as Hughes has given the 30 year old the responsibility to lead the team forward, making the most out of his experience and, albeit late, newfound maturity. Another player who will be depended on as the season progresses is Marko Arnautović, who joined for £2m on the last day of this summer’s transfer window. Arnautović only scored sixteen goals in eighty three appearances with Werder Bremen, yet showed signs of becoming something special throughout his three stint at the Weserstadion. Possibly the biggest reason for why he never made it, as such, was due to his bad boy persona. José Mourinho, who signed Arnautović on loan in 2009, once claimed that “he had the attitude of a child.” If the Austrian international can channel his temper into his play on the pitch, opposing sides will have to take note of his capabilities. On the opposite side of the pitch, Asmir Begović may well decide where the points go after starting the season as one of Stoke’s most important players. Kicking off the campaign with a man of the match performance against Liverpool, the Bosnian ‘keeper went onto prove just why he was so highly rated against West Ham & Manchester City, keeping consecutive clean sheets and making dozens of crucial saves. Arsenal’s attack will have their work cut out when he comes up against Stoke’s number one.
Arsenal have also impressed this season, despite losing their opening game 3-1 at home to Aston Villa. Using the Champions League qualifier first leg away at one of the fiercest stadiums in the world to galvanise the squad, the Gunners have won all of their last five matches, defeating Fulham, Fenerbahçe in the corresponding second leg, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and, most recently, Olympique Marseille. Arsenal have been in inspirational form as of late, however none of this would have been possible without Aaron Ramsey. Much has changed since the incident in 2010 and Ramsey has used the whole experience to his advantage, learning from it and maturing with elegance. It’s now clear that the hard work has paid off, with the Welsh international scoring six goals in just seven appearances, an outstanding feat for a central midfielder. It’s not just on the attacking scheme of things where Ramsey has been influential, as the 22 year old’s importance in the middle of the park has been illustrated further with the absence of usual partner in crime, Mikel Arteta, who often occupied the majority of defensive duties that come with a double-pivot. This has meant that Ramsey has had to adapt quickly to his new role, yet the side effects of this change aren’t present in the former Welsh captain’s game.
Another player who has started to reach his potential is Olivier Giroud, using his first season in English football as a platform to develop sides of his game that were perhaps in need of some fine tuning. With this, the Frenchman has scored six goals in seven appearances and spearheaded Arsenal’s start to the season to great effect, notably scoring the winner and only goal of the game against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. Expect the 26 year old’s production to increase with the arrival of marque signing, Mesut Özil. After missing out on a plethora of big names this summer, the omnipresent pressure on Arsène Wenger to spend big and sign a player of exceptional quality was finally eased with the £42.5m acquisition of one of the most creative playmakers in the world. Mesut Özil’s move has rejuvenated everyone involved with the club: the fans are still in a state of frenzy for their new number eleven, the players are thrilled to have someone of his quality playing with them week-in, week-out and the hierarchy have been given time to breathe easy and celebrate one of the biggest transfers of the window. Everyone is happy, evidently, and yet even with the anticipation that surrounded his début, the German international dealt with the weight on his shoulders and made a key assist for Olivier Giroud’s opener. Özil’s creativity is something that will become the hallmark of Arsenal’s attacking play this season as it opens up so many dimensions for the likes of Giroud, Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, et al.
If Stoke are to prevent Arsenal exploring every avenue that they have at their disposal, they must nullify the 24 year old’s game, giving him as little space as possible to work his magic as possible.
Key Battles
Where I believe the game could be won and lost is in Stoke’s half. It took so much effort for the Gunners to leave the Stade Vélodrome with a victory largely due to the fact that Marseille didn’t let Arsenal play in their usual fashion. By ensuring that the defence and midfield are tight and compact, I suspect Mesut Özil will familiarise with Stoke’s anchorman, Steven N’Zonzi. Should Jack Wilshere play out on the left, Kieran Gibbs must attack the flank in order to deliver service to Olivier Giroud, be it aerially or on the deck. Theo Walcott may use his goal from midweek to kick start his season. If he’s on his game, he’ll give Eric Pieters a real test and to subsidise for Walcott’s pace, the Dutchman must not give him the license to bomb down the wing at will. Despite scoring, Marseille kept Walcott quiet for the most part of the game because of their imposing, constant, presence during the entire course of the match.
Injury News
Arsène Wenger is still without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who misses out through a knee injury, and Mikel Arteta, who is still recovering from a hip/thigh injury. Santi Cazorla’s rumoured return date from his ankle/foot injury is the 19th of October, so we will not see the Spaniard feature in any capacity. Lukas Podolski is yet to recover from the hamstring injury suffered against Fenerbahçe. Tomáš Rosický is still out from the thigh injury he sustained on international duty for the Czech Republic against Italy. Abou Diaby is indefinitely ruled out as a result of his ACL injury. Thomas Vermaelen may make his second appearance since injuring his back in preseason. Arsenal’s skipper made a brief ten minute cameo at Sunderland and was named on the bench for the Champions League tie against Marseille, yet did not come on. No fresh injuries were sustained from Arsenal’s last match.
It doesn’t look like Mark Hughes will have Glenn Whelan at his disposal, because of the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Manchester City game. Marc Muniesa is also questionable after picking up a hip/groin injury. No fresh injuries were sustained from Stoke’s last match.
Team News
Per Mertesacker is cleared to play after missing out on the Sunderland match through illness. This will most likely lead to Bacary Sagna shifting out to his favoured right back position with Carl Jenkinson dropping to the bench. Don’t be surprised to see an unchanged midfielder & attack from the win at the Stadium of Light with Aaron Ramsey & Mathieu Flamini occupying the double-pivot behind Mesut Özil, ‘the number ten’, Theo Walcott, on the right, & Jack Wilshere, on the left. Olivier Giroud to lead the line.
Don’t expect too much change from Mark Hughes in his team selection. Geoff Cameron, who predominately plays as a central midfielder, may feature as a right-back. Jermaine Pennant & Stephen Ireland are expected to challenge Matthew Etherington for a strafing place. Marko Arnautović could make his first start for Stoke in place of Kenwyne Jones.
Betting Tips
Fancy yourself as a betting man? If so, here are five tips for Arsenal vs Stoke: –
1. Olivier Giroud is 11/10 to score at any time in the match. Giroud has scored the vast majority of his domestic goals in London and Sunday’s game takes place at the Emirates. Will the prolific France international increase his goalscoring tally? BET ON THIS MARKET
2. With Bet Victor, Stoke are 19/2 to leave North London with three points. The Potters haven’t defeated Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in any of their five Premier League meetings in Arsenal’s back yard. Will Mark Hughes lead them to victory? BET ON THIS MARKET
3. With Bet Victor, Aaron Ramsey is 11/1 to score first. Having scored six goals in seven appearances this season, the Welshman is in the form of his life. Will he break the deadlock against the defender who so fatally injured him years ago in Ryan Shawcross? BET ON THIS MARKET
4. With Bet Victor, Mesut Özil is 6/1 to win the Man of the Match award. After an impressive start to life as an Arsenal player, how will he fare in front of 60,000 adoring supporters: will the German choke or flourish on his home début? BET ON THIS MARKET
5. With Bet Victor, Arsenal are 5/6 to keep a clean sheet. Will Wojciech Szczęsny shut out a Stoke side that have scored three goals so far in the Premier League or will Peter Crouch & co. prove too much for the Polish shot stopper? BET ON THIS MARKET
