Late Win At Stoke Today

Late
 
It's a late kick off and it's not on terrestrial TV, but it is on Radio 5 Live, so listening only (frustrating though that is) is the order of the day.

Arsenal return to a place they've lost already this season. This time with a radically different team.
 
When Arsenal played Stoke in the FA Cup, it was a rainy day and Stoke utilised the towel magnificently, wasting at least a minute per throw and giving Rory Delap great advantage.

The team Arsenal put out that day however was a very odd mix, with the oldies at the back (Sol and Silvestre), and mostly youngsters in the other positions. It was a reasonable performance though from a team that hadn't played together before, and it was 1-1 until Wenger brought three first-teamers on. As Arsenal poured forward to try for a winner, they conceded from a careless mistake at the back. The last one was was simply Arsenal throwing in the towel.

 
Stronger
 
This time you can be sure Wenger will play the strongest team available. It won't contain Robin van Persie of course, or Gallas or Arshavin. It could contain Eduardo, but the likelihood is not since he only resumed training on Friday and is unlikely to have regained enough fitness.
 
This time it won't be a team full of youngsters.

Wenger is likely to pick Campbell and Vermaelen at the back which should provide some sensible cover for the Rory Delap long throws. Sagna and Clichy should play at RB & LB respectively.

Wenger needs to give instructions to Clichy and Sagna to take out whoever comes near them to make Stoke avoid the wings. I'm sure Clichy will put in a better performance than Traore did last time. And Eboue may be a better option than Sagna (who seems to have lost a lot of pace)—and Eboue could be expected to put in a few harder tackles too.
 
With Bendtner up front (undoubtedly) Arsenal also have a big target—assuming they ball can be crossed into the box. 

I'd like to see Nasri and Rosicky up front with Bendtner, trying their own shots, and pumping the ball in to the big Dane. Walcott should be preferred as an "impact sub" though he's an option starting instead of Rosicky if Wenger prefers the pace to get in behind the Stoke defense.
 
Diaby is missing from midfield and that's a worry - the team need both him and Song in there providing a large strong spine (lumping Fuller any time he comes near the Arsenal area).  It'll be Song and Denilson though (unless le boss uses Ramsey again instead of Denilson for his greater strength).

 
Not Lost
 
Stoke haven't lost in seven league matches—a nice little run. And are looking strong with a 3-1 win over Man City in the cup on Wednesday.
 
Stoke have reason not to be afraid of Arsenal—after their run of performances, and their wins, they will feel they have no reason to be afraid. That will make them run at us easier with no fear.
 
Two things may work in Arsenals favour however: 1) If Stoke are attacked hard and fast they may well be unprepared. And an early goal is what Arsenal need. 2) Stoke are tired!

Tired

Stoke had a tough midweek match and Arsenal didn't.

To cap that, they had to play extra time. Assuming Arsenal can pace it, by the 70th minute they should be literally running rings around Stoke. There's even (possibly idle) talk about Stoke resting some of their key players (it would be good news indeed if Fuller and Delap were rested).

Tactically, Arsenal know what to do, stop conceding so many throws near their own 18 Yard line, and get 'stuck in' to Stoke. When Arsenal do get stuck in to Stoke, they can win convincingly, as has been proved. However Wenger only seems to know one tactic!

So combined with the usual flowing play, let's hope Arsenal stay tighter at the back. Certainly it's clear Arsenal shouldl give Stoke a sterner test than last time.

Referee
 
Peter Walton is the referee, and he's a fairly anonymous one, which is, generally speaking, good.

There's at least a little less likelihood of him being a factor than some of the 'bigger' names. Just hope he's strong enough to deal with "The Towel" (Stoke's own mighty superhero time-waster).

Prediction
 
I believe Arsenal can take Stoke apart today.

They won't get any credit of course, but a win is a win, and a win is all that counts. Arsenal certainly can't afford to drop points, even with a draw. It's difficult to not see Stoke scoring if Rory Delap is playing his towel, so I'll opt for 3-1 to Arsenal with Bendtner bagging a brace and Fabregas the other.