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Arsenal will be hoping to take over at the top of the
Premier League standings when they face Stoke City at
the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners currently trail leaders Chelsea by a single
point, although the Blues are in action against basement
side Fulham and are heavy favourites to see off the
Cottagers and maintain their lead at the summit.
Arsene Wenger, though, will be keen for his side to
focus on their own outing, with the side looking to press
on from last weekend's 4-1 thrashing of Sunderland at
the Emirates Stadium.
That result came as a welcome boost to the side as
they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the
Champions League last week, while they had taken just
one point from their previous two league matches,
drawing against Manchester United before losing to
Liverpool.
However, the north London giants did bounce back from
their heavy 5-1 Anfield loss, gaining revenge over the
Reds with a 2-1 result in the FA Cup fifth round just
eight days later.
Stoke, meanwhile, find themselves in real danger of
being sucked into the relegation zone, with the Potters
currently three places and three points clear of the
bottom three.
Mark Hughes' side have also failed to win any of their
last three outings, drawing two and losing one.
In team news, the Potters will be looking to Peter
Crouch to continue his impressive form, with the lanky
striker having bagged four goals in his last six home
matches, while the forward has a penchant for scoring
against Arsenal, having found the back of the net
against them on seven occasions in the league.
Oussama Assaidi, though, is out with a knee injury, but
Robert Huth could make his return from a three-month
lay-off, although he is likely to be named among the
substitutes.
For the Gunners, Nacho Monreal (foot) and Kieran Gibbs
(hamstring) are both doubtful, leaving Wenger short on
options at left-back and as a result Thomas Vermaelen
may get a run out on the left.
Mesut Ozil could come back into the squad, having been
left out entirely against the Black Cats, but Aaron
Ramsey remains out with a thigh strain.
Premier League standings when they face Stoke City at
the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners currently trail leaders Chelsea by a single
point, although the Blues are in action against basement
side Fulham and are heavy favourites to see off the
Cottagers and maintain their lead at the summit.
Arsene Wenger, though, will be keen for his side to
focus on their own outing, with the side looking to press
on from last weekend's 4-1 thrashing of Sunderland at
the Emirates Stadium.
That result came as a welcome boost to the side as
they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the
Champions League last week, while they had taken just
one point from their previous two league matches,
drawing against Manchester United before losing to
Liverpool.
However, the north London giants did bounce back from
their heavy 5-1 Anfield loss, gaining revenge over the
Reds with a 2-1 result in the FA Cup fifth round just
eight days later.
Stoke, meanwhile, find themselves in real danger of
being sucked into the relegation zone, with the Potters
currently three places and three points clear of the
bottom three.
Mark Hughes' side have also failed to win any of their
last three outings, drawing two and losing one.
In team news, the Potters will be looking to Peter
Crouch to continue his impressive form, with the lanky
striker having bagged four goals in his last six home
matches, while the forward has a penchant for scoring
against Arsenal, having found the back of the net
against them on seven occasions in the league.
Oussama Assaidi, though, is out with a knee injury, but
Robert Huth could make his return from a three-month
lay-off, although he is likely to be named among the
substitutes.
For the Gunners, Nacho Monreal (foot) and Kieran Gibbs
(hamstring) are both doubtful, leaving Wenger short on
options at left-back and as a result Thomas Vermaelen
may get a run out on the left.
Mesut Ozil could come back into the squad, having been
left out entirely against the Black Cats, but Aaron
Ramsey remains out with a thigh strain.
