Arsenal vs Stoke City
Date: 01/04/18
K/O: 13.30pm
Venue: The Emirates
Referee: Craig Pawson
Paul Lambert faces Arsenal this Sunday with optimism, counting on his previous winning experience at the Emirates to end Stoke’s abysmal away record against the Gunners.
History heavily favours Arsenal since Stoke have lost their last 15 away contests against the Gunners, including nine of those at the Emirates. Their away form is suffering considerably, only winning one of their 15 Premier League matches.
The Potters last away victory against Arsenal came in 1981, however, Paul Lambert was victorious with Aston Villa on the opening day of the 2013/14 season. He recalled the experience but claimed he’s not focussed on the past, “It’s a really tough place to go. I’ve been fortunate I’ve won there – I know what it’s like to win there, I know what it’s like to lose there, I know what it’s like to draw there. This is new, I’m only new to the football club so what happened in the past is not an interest to me really.”
Early in the season, Stoke recorded a 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Bet365 Stadium but have done so in the previous years and still failed to do the double or go undefeated against their opponents in a single season. A point for Stoke would dampen their relegation form but both are desperate for the win, with only eight games left for Arsenal and one less for Stoke. Arsenal have gained most of their points from home, 35 from 48, and have a run of 12 consecutive home top-flight wins against Stoke, their longest winning run in their top-flight history.
Arsenal are placed 6th in the table and 13 points adrift from a Champions League spot but have good momentum heading into their clash with Stoke, winning their last three matches, scoring eight and conceding only once. Despite the Gunners pursuing the Europa League as an avenue into the Champions League, they are still strong favourites to pick up all three points on Sunday. Stoke are three points from safety anchored 19th in the table, having not won in their last seven games. Paul Lambert beat Huddersfield in his first game in charge and hasn’t won since, despite playing opposition also involved in the relegation battle.
Despite being able to take positive points from these games, he’s highlighted individual errors being costly. “As long as you keep fighting you’ve always got a chance, and that’s what you do, you keep fighting for everything” said Lambert, 48. “Individual errors have cost us in certain games but the performance levels of the team, I couldn’t ask for any more from them. I know what I want to achieve and we’re still well in this fight.”
There have been four or more goals in two of the last three meetings between the two sides and the potential return of Alexandre Lacazette for Arsenal could help repeat this trend. With club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being cup-tied in the Europa League, it’s likely Lacazette will get a run out at some point to help regain full fitness. The in-form Jack Wilshere could feature despite missing England’s internationals due to a minor knee concern; causing Stoke issues in the defensive and offensive through the middle. Steve Bould insists Wilshere is available, “As far as I’m aware, there’s no issue”.
Sead Kolasinac will have an assessment to see if he’s available after picking up a knee injury for Bosnia and Herzegovina in their draw against Senegal on Tuesday. Ramsey could also be available after recovering from a “small procedure”. Santi Cazorla is still considered a long-term absentee with his achilles injury. The Arsenal duo of Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have combined for three goals in 406 minutes of football together, the most for any pairing at Arsenal this season.
Mame Diouf could return to the starting line up since missing the last two games through a shoulder injury as well as Erik Pieters after he was fined and left out of the squad for the defeat to Everton for breaking curfew. Charlie Adam will begin his three-match ban following his red card for his challenge on Rooney in the previous fixture. Eric Choupo-Moting has picked up a groin problem which will keep him side-lined for weeks to come.
Another public lashing from Lambert has seen Ibrahim Afellay as the target this time and has been exiled from the squad. It’s probable Lambert will retain a defensive midfield setup, leaving Stephen Ireland out of the fray. He hasn’t featured since the 3-0 loss in January against Manchester United at Old Trafford. It’s likely the only attacking outlet will be down the wings through Xherdan Shaqiri and Ramadan Sobhi.
Jese could be another attacking option for Stoke considering he made his debut in the reverse fixture and scoring the only goal in the game. Since then he has only played 545 minutes in the Premier League and has had only two shots on target, not scoring or failing to be on the winning side. It’s difficult to predict Lambert’s starting line up considering he chose experience over talent in the 2-1 defeat to Everton.
Arsenal are notorious for beating teams of less calibre at this point of the season and have never had problems facing Stoke at the Emirates. Bearing in mind both teams’ current form and their history head-to-head, Stoke would have to pull off a miracle to come away with even a point on Sunday. It should be a comfortable outing for Arsenal, who face a more solid Stoke side but once they break the deadlock, a few more goals should be expected. Paul Lambert’s optimism won’t be enough to prevent Arsenal from another home victory.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Stoke: Butland, Bauer, Shawcross, Zouma, Stafylidis, Allen, Cameron, Ndiaye, Shaqiri, Diouf, Sobhi
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Wilshere, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang
Prediction: Arsenal 3 Stoke City 0
Written by Andy Ridgway.
Project Engineer at Rolls Royce. Unfortunately, born a Stoke City fan but wouldn’t have it any other way.
