Arsenal vs. Stoke City: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Premier League Game
Just weeks after Stoke humiliated Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium, the Potters and the Gunners will meet again at the Emirates.
The two clubs have recently become fierce rivals due to their different playing styles and, unfortunately, the somewhat uncouth and disrespectful actions of some of the Stoke supporters. These are always tasty fixtures, and whichever side is playing at home has a huge advantage.
Now it's Arsenal's turn to reap the rewards of hosting this match. Will they be able to get revenge for their defeat earlier this season? Here are four key factors that will determine the answer.
Wojciech Szczesny or David Ospina?
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After a match-losing display against Southampton, many questioned whether Wojciech Szczesny should continue to start in goal with David Ospina back to full fitness.
Ospina then got the nod against Hull City in the FA Cup and kept a clean sheet, while Szczesny became embroiled in a controversy about his alleged smoking.
While there is a good argument for switching goalkeepers, Ospina has not played much this season and has never faced a side quite as physical and draining as Stoke. There is probably no other team in England that is as challenging for a goalkeeper.
Szczesny has more experience against Stoke, so we'll have to see what Arsene Wenger values when he goes to select his team.
Can Arsenal Deal with Peter Crouch?
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Stoke were able to open the scoring within a minute when they hosted Arsenal earlier this season. They scored that goal because Peter Crouch overwhelmed the Gunners' sleeping defense.
The Potters are successful against Arsenal because they are so tall and physical, which is difficult to counter with technical skill. Arsenal's defense is prone to crumbling, and Crouch has proven extremely adept at exploiting its weaknesses.
But Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker dealt with Andy Carroll, the best header of the ball in the Premier League, quite well the other week when Arsenal played West Ham. They will need to coordinate with each other and hold their lines in the same way, since both Carroll and Crouch are battering rams.
Who Will Start in Attack for Arsenal?
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Arsene Wenger can fundamentally alter the way his team plays just by switching a couple of forwards.
For example, Arsenal struggled mightily to get anything going against Southampton with Alexis Sanchez at striker rather than a stronger hold-up man.
Thankfully, Olivier Giroud will return from suspension to lead the line. But who will start on the wings? If Wenger wants to be aggressive, he can use Theo Walcott if he is fit enough to start two consecutive games. (Alexis will certainly play on the other wing.) Alternatively, he could move Santi Cazorla or Tomas Rosicky to the flank for a more possession-based approach.
Will Arsenal's Wounded Return?
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As always, Arsenal are dealing with injuries to several key players.
Per the club's official website, only Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck have a shot at returning for this game. Their fitness is essential, though, as Arsenal's bench is severely depleted.
Arsene Wenger is perpetually short of late-game options, since only a core of about 18 players can seem to be healthy at any given time. Many of those are youngsters like Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Chuba Akpom, who cannot and should not be counted on to produce anything in crunch time.
Even if they do not start, Ramsey and Welbeck will provide Arsenal with invaluable fresh legs if Arsenal need to push for three points. Count on this game being very tight.
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