Arsenal – Stoke City Match Preview And Projected Line-Up

Arsenal – Stoke City Match Preview And Projected Line-Up

Arsenal clearly start as favorites against Stoke despite a rocky start for the Gunners. Odds are clearly in favor of Wenger’s side especially with Charlie Adam, Afellay and Diouf unable to play. The only chance the underdogs of this challenge might have is to be underestimated. It is the beginning of the season and the pressure for them is nowhere nearly as intense as what Arsenal’s players will be feeling. Wenger is probably thinking about Zagreb and how a good start could get the Gunners in the next stages of the Champions League and also about next week’s clash against arch rivals Chelsea who are a team to beat right now.

In terms of statistics Arsenal have won the last 13 home games against Stoke and lost two of the last 5 away games. They have better possession, most of the team available and come after getting 7 points out of 9 possible during the last 3 games.


Here is the probably Arsenal squad, the injured list and the players who are uncertain.

Mertesacker is uncertain and might be replaced by Gabriel. The German has not been feeling well and he might be kept on the bench to recover for the clash against Chelsea.

Wilshere is injured and will return in October while Welbeck and Rosicky are out until February.

Projected starting lineup: Cech, Bellerin, Paulista, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.

Substitutes: Ospina, Debuchy, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Mertesacker.