Arsenal vs. Stoke City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Stoke City will travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday hoping to claim what would be just their first-ever away win against Arsenal in the Premier League era.
The Potters also have a maiden double in sight, having escorted the Gunners from the Britannia Stadium last month with a 3-2 win to their name.
Arsene Wenger is under pressure to ensure Mark Hughes' visitors don't manage a similar feat this weekend, with Arsenal hoping to jump above north London rivals Tottenham should they triumph.
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Read on for the fixture's vital viewing information, along with a round-up of the key storylines heading into Sunday's tie.
Date: Sunday, January 11
Time: 1:30 p.m. GMT/8:30 a.m. ET
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK, subscription required), NBC Spots Live Extra (US)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBCSN (US)
The Ozil Effect
After three months out with injury, Mesut Ozil is in line to make his return to the Arsenal midfield this weekend as a very welcome 2015 addition.
The surge of Alexis Sanchez had helped fire Arsenal to some successes this season, but Ozil's talents will nonetheless be greeted with joy.
However, Arsene Wenger is quoted by James Olley of the London Evening Standard as being uncertain as to whether to start the German or utilise his talent from the bench:
Ozil himself is certainly looking forward to the clash with Stoke, having taken to his official Instagram account (h/t Eurosport) to express his excitement:
With Ozil back in the frame, it takes a certain pressure off the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla to step up creatively, although both have been doing fine jobs in the World Cup winner's absence.
Wenger also welcomes Olivier Giroud back into his side after suspension, which is just as well with Danny Welbeck yet to make a full recovery from his thigh injury.
Wojciech Szczesny in Arsene Wenger's Bad Books
On-pitch troubles spilled into the Arsenal dressing room lately as the intimate details of Wojciech Szczesny's recent offence were brought to light.
It came to light earlier this week that following the 2-0 defeat to Southampton on New Year's Day, the Polish stopper was caught smoking in the dressing room showers.
The Independent's Mark Bryans reports Szczesny has since apologised, but quotes Wenger is hinting David Ospina may yet retain his place in goal, having come in for the FA Cup clash against Hull City:
"I haven't selected the first XI yet. I take everything into account. I don't want to talk about that because what happens in our dressing room stays in our dressing room - apart from the fact that it doesn't stay in there.
Of course (he has apologised). He is a serious boy who works very hard, he doesn't need all that. He made a mistake, he is not the first one or the last one. You can do what you want at home. You have a freedom. My issue is that the players here are judged on their performances. Ideally, the best way to have as high a level as possible is to behave as close to the rules.
"
Ospina is a very amicable alternative under Wenger's command, but the Colombian has hardly featured since moving to England last summer, as Bleacher Report's Andrew Gibney attested after seeing him turn out against the Tigers:
It's as of yet uncertain how long or even if Wenger intends to punish Szczesny, who contributed some calamitous errors in each of the Saints' goals during that New Year's defeat.
Along with being dropped, the No. 1 was also slapped with a £20,000 fine by the club, a sufficient punishment, some might say. But Opsina will be champing at the bit to show his skills for the Gunners, and Stoke will be glad to see such indecision among their hosts' selection.
