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PREVIEW: Stoke v Arsenal, Injury News, Preferred XI + Prediction

By on February 28, 2014

Arsenal face a tricky away clash against Stoke City tomorrow afternoon with another three vital points at stake.

There’s been quite a bit of needle heading into the game, with disgraceful Stoke fans taking to an online club fanzine forum to plan what abuse they’re going to dish out to Aaron Ramsey and Arsene Wenger.

I’m sure the players and coaching staff are used to the abuse they receive at away grounds like the Britannia by now, so I’m sure it won’t affect them tomorrow. Well, it certainly wont affect Rambo as he’s injured!

This is a must win game if we want to keep our title hopes alive as we’ve got a nightmare run of fixtures coming up that’s really going to make or break our season. To head into them off the back of a loss would be damaging.

We’re just one point behind Chelsea – who’re away at Fulham on Saturday – so hopeful we could return to the top of the league if the Cottagers could do us a favour.

Injury/Team News

Arsene Wenger confirmed on Thursday that Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs are both major doubts for the game and they didn’t appear to train on Friday, so I wouldn’t expect either to have made the trip. The good news is Thomas Vermaelen is fit again so he could come straight back in to deputise at left-back.

As I said in my preferred XI post yesterday, I’d like to see Jack given a breather for this one. Firstly because this is precisely the type of fixture he could easily pick up an injury with Stoke’s over-zealous approach. And secondly, we need to win the midfield battle and Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are more adept at putting their foot in.

Mesut Ozil is also due back after being rested last week while Tomas Rosicky should keep his place after an excellent display against Sunderland.

Ramsey, Walcott, Diaby and Kallstrom all remain out through injury.

Preferred XI

Prediction

We haven’t won at Stoke in our last three attempts, drawing twice and losing the other, but they are on a poor run of late having only won once in their last 10, so I can see us grinding out a vital win here.

Stoke 0-1 Arsenal COYG!

What are your thoughts on the game? Are you confident? What team would you play?

8 Comments

  1. Afc

    February 28, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    This team is too defensive for this game we need wilshere in Cm.

    Reply

  2. Vitalis

    February 28, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    There is no point playing Arteta and Flamini at same time, that’s being too defensive, Rosicky can pair either arteta or flamini, giving room for podoski on the left of our attack.

    Reply

  3. sabo dalhatu

    February 28, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    9yce selection but too defensive

    Reply

  4. hammed Azeez

    February 28, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    The squad is gud enough 4 arsenal 2 win 2marw game but is defencive

    Reply

  5. Fela Green

    February 28, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    Arsenal Need To Control The Mildfield So That They Can Win Stoke Stubborn Defence

    Reply

  6. Mamud jagne

    February 28, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    its a most win 4 us 2 keep our title hopes alive

    Reply

  7. Scramble

    March 1, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    I disagree with partnering Flamini and Arteta ; when they play together, they sit too deep and invite teams on. This leaves a massive hole for the opposition to exploit. Ox is a much better option in there with Flamini, as his game is not one dimensional. COYRRR

    Reply

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