Arsenal vs Delap's Cannonballs: Tough Game Awaits Arsenal at Stoke

Arsenal travel to Britannia stadium in a must win game on Saturday. A defeat against Stoke would virtually end the title hopes for yet another season.

Stoke city are flying high with some sturdy, physical performances of late and as a result, they're safely placed 11th in the League table.

Stoke deservedly defeated Arsenal 2-1 in this fixture last season. In addition to that, Arsenal recently lost out in the FA cup to Stoke.

The Potters then went on to defeat Manchester City in the next round of the FA cup, proving that the win against Arsenal wasn't a fluke.

Arsene Wenger is aware that his team needs to improve defensively to win games away from home. Injuries are playing spoilsport and Arsenal have to be content without the services of William Gallas, Andrei Arshavin, and Abou Diaby.

Fit-again Eduardo is unlikely to start but will be a useful addition to the bench.

Gallas' injury is the most worrying one of all. His absence means Sol Campbell will play alongside Thomas Vermaelen.

The major concern is the lack of depth in the Arsenal defense. Wenger's decision to not sign another defender back in January might well come back to haunt if Gallas is ruled out for a longer period.

Campbell is not expected to play week in, week out and Mikael Silvestre is nothing but a nightmare whenever he plays.

Wenger will have another befuddling decision to make ahead of the Stoke game. Emmanuel Eboue has done enough to prolong his stay in the starting eleven, but Bacary Sagna has been a consistent performer too. Hence, a selection dilemma at the right back.

Hard decision to leave either of the two. However, it wouldn't do any harm by starting both Eboue and Sagna with the latter playing as the centre-back.

Wenger is backing Gael Clichy to shine once again after his decent performance against Sunderland last week.

On the other hand, Arsenal must be wary of Rory Delap's "cannonballs." Delap's trademark long throw-ins are dangerous and pretty difficult to defend against. It's the angle and trajectory of Delap's darts that make them so potent.

Goalkeeper should be vigilant against these swirling throw-ins, but Arsenal's goalkeeping woes are going from bad to worse.

Manuel Almunia is pretty uncertain during set-pieces and also not comfortable dealing with the high-balls, so Delap can take advantage with his powerful, curvy long throw-ins onto the heads of Ricardo Fuller and Ryan Shawcross.

Don't be surprised to hear a post match interview from Wenger claiming his team lost out to Delap instead of Stoke; such is the influence of Delap's "cannon-like" arms.

Stoke manager Tony pulis will be looking forward to taking advantage of Arsenal's mediocre defense, especially in the absence of Gallas.

Stoke have scored 15 goals from set-pieces so far, and that's more perturbing when you consider the fact that Arsenal are vulnerable against set-pieces.

On the home soil, Stoke will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Arsenal side to say the least. The Potters are unbeaten in the last seven home games, so it would take something special to beat them.

Diaby's absence would make it hard to keep possession amidst of Stoke's physical game.

Bendtner is adamant to repay the faith shown in him by Wenger. He's to deliver a solid hold-up play to penetrate the in-form Stoke defence.

A narrow 2-1 win to Arsenal.