Arsenal v Stoke City - Match preview and odds

15:00 pm - The Emirates Stadium

Arsenal will be looking to break into the top four with a win against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon. With Manchester city in such fine form, anything less than a win for the North Londoners could leave them adrift in the title race after just five games.

Misfiring Gunners

The transfer window was a frustrating one for Arsenal fans. The arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea finally brought to an end the clamouring for a world class goal keeper. But the failure to land another top class striker was treated as wilful negligence by many. Arsene Wenger has insisted that he has the squad to compete this season but his team’s performances in the first four games have given ammunition to his doubters. The gloom that followed the opening day defeat at home to West Ham may have lifted slightly but the dissenting voices have yet to be fully silenced.

Stoke still finding their feet

Since taking over the reins in 2013 Mark Hughes has transformed the image of Stoke City. A team once regarded as a defensive, physical unit with a penchant for parking the bus and hoofing long balls into the box, is now lauded as a positive attacking team that enjoys possession of the ball. The Potter’s now have a side blessed with a good mix of exceptional young talent and old experienced heads. With so many new faces arriving this summer, it is no surprise that the team is taking a while to gel, but they proved in the games against Liverpool and Spurs that they can still compete with top six teams. Once this side gets into full flow, there is no reason to suggest that they cannot finish in the top half of the table for the third season in a row.

Team news

Arsenals failure to sign a new striker and Danny Welbeck’s continued absence means that French international Olivier Giroud will be expected to lead the line for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Laurent Koscielny has been declared fit and is expected to return to the starting line-up.

Stoke will be without Glen Johnson and Ryan Shawcross who are both out injured but Mame Diouf is expected to be fit after recovering from a groin injury.

Recent form
Arsenal: WWLWDW
Stoke: WLDDDL

Betting odds and tips

Arsenal will be clear favourites for this game and you will struggle to find any value in backing the team from north London. However, with the home side having failed to win at home so far and the Potters yet to lose either of their two away games, there could be value to be had in the Double Chance market. You can back Stoke to win or draw at 14/5 with BetVictor.

Go To bet365

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12/09/2015     © Frixo 2024