EPL Preview: Predicting the Arsenal Starting XI vs. Stoke City

Arsenal will attempt to continue their impressive English Premier League form when they encounter Stoke City at the Emirates. The match had been scheduled way back in December but the intense English winter had other ideas. Nonetheless, the match is set to take place as Arsenal look to close the four point gap between Manchester United and themselves atop of the EPL table.

The last time the two sides encountered one another was on February 27 2010. The date world football recognises as Aaron Ramsey's horror leg break. The Arsenal midfielder sustained a double fracture in his lower right leg after a reckless challenge from Ryan Shawcross.

The Welsh dynamo has since recovered from the horrific injury and is currently on loan with Championship side Cardiff City, in a bid to regain peak fitness and skill. Furthermore both sides have put the incident behind them and both will be eager to impose their respective styles of play in order to gain a valuable three points.

The match is certainly a defiant one in Arsenal's season as Arsene Wenger's men strive to diminish their notorious five year trophy drought. In one of the tightest title races in English history, Arsenal have maintained their second place impressively, boasting a run of nine consecutive games without loss.

However, Manchester United are still the dominant side at the penthouse of the EPL table. Sir Alex Ferguson's men have 57 points and have only lost one match whilst the Gunners are on 53 points with five losses. Stoke on the other hand are sitting impressively in 10th and will aim to break into the UEFA Cup standings.

Arsenal have been susceptible to losing games to opponents like Stoke City. The Potters posses a tremendously tough, bullish style of play that thrives on physicality, hard tackling and long, high balls to an imposing striker.

The tactic has been successful in overcoming the Gunners in the past as the approach congests space and ensures Arsenal are unable to utilize their fast, one touch attack. However, the Gunners no longer lack physical prowess and can withstand the assault from the imposing "rugby" sides.

Wenger's men are in-form and currently boast a formidable attack alongside a superb centre half partnership. Despite succumbing to a shock 1-1 draw against League One outfit Leyton Orient in the FA Cup last weekend, the Gunners did overcome the might of Spanish kings Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League just days before.

One would expect a routine win for the Gunners, especially at home, but West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and Tottenham will all beg to differ.

Let's Predict the starting XI for Arsenal: 

Goalkeeper

Wojciech Szczesny will continue his rich vein of form as the Arsenal number one. The 20 year old has been superb since taking the reigns in January. Polish shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski will not feature for the remainder of the season thanks to a severe shoulder injury.

Experienced keeper Manuel Almunia will be demoted back to the deputy role after featuring against Leyton Orient. The Spaniard would not have enjoyed the encounter after having little do before failing to contain a tame effort that would lead to the equalizer. 

Defenders

Fans will be reassured as imposing Swiss Johan Djourou reinstated to the centre half position. However Laurent Koscienly has sustained a knee injury and will miss the encounter. This ensures Sebastien Squillaci will retain his place from the weekend.

After containing Barcelona's attack, one of the world's best that boasts the likes of Lionel Messi and David Villa, the pair was rested for the match against Leyton Orient.

At right back, Bacary Sagna should start despite starting against Leyton Orient. Ivorian utility man Emmanuel Eboue could be a surprise starter over Sagna if Wenger looks to rest the Frenchman for Arsenal's appearance in the Carling Cup final this weekend. However, it looks unlikely.

On the left, English international Kieran Gibbs will return to the bench as experienced full back Gael Clichy returns to the starting XI after being rested for the weekend.

Ignasi Miguel, who debuted in the FA Cup last weekend, will receive a bench role thanks to Koscienly's injury. 

Midfielders

Arsene Wenger will look to utilize his strongest midfield trio as the Gunners aim to take a convincing victory. This of course will include captain and maestro Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard will take the attacking midfield role beside English dynamo Jack Wilshere, who was superb in defeating Barcelona.

Lanky Frenchman Abou Diaby is still suspended which ensures Alexandre Song will keep his place from the weekend as the defensive midfielder. Samba star Denilson and Czech play maker Tomas Rosicky will both compete for a bench role. 

Forwards

Akin to the midfield, Wenger will look to utilize his strongest attacking trio despite the up coming League Cup final. In-form Dutchman Robin van Persie, who boasts 12 goals in 10 games since returning in January, has been ruled out of the encounter which poses as a huge blow. However this ensures imposing strikers Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner compete for the starting role and a chance to really impress. Chamakh's added physicality should see the Moroccan ge the

Theo Walcott and French playmaker Samir Nasri will also return from being rested with Walcott on the right and Nasri on the left. However Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin could start ahead of Nasri as the Frenchman recently returned from injury and Wenger may want to utilize Nasri for the Carling Cup final. 

Substitutes

With seven places on Wenger's bench, Manuel Almunia will be the back up keeper alongside Kieran Gibbs and Ignasi Miguel, who are the back up defenders. Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner are the back up attackers.