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With three points a must for the home side if they need to climb into the Champions League spots sooner rather than later, Stoke will try their best to stymie Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and try to break and score a potential stunner against their opponents.
Here are five key battles that could decide the outcome of the game.
Andre Santos vs Michael Kightly
Known for his twisting, turning runs on the wing and his excellent delivery from set pieces, Michael Kightly is likely to be up against Brazilian international defender Andre Santos. New signing Nacho Monreal will take time to acclimatise and Kieran Gibbs is out for at least a month.
In all fairness, however, the Brazilian is known better for raiding forward than he is at defending. Playing only his fourth game against the Potters if he features after returning from injury, Santos is going to have his work cut out.
A player described by manager Arsene Wenger as a player who thrives when given a run of games, the ‘stamina type player’ will have to be on his best to shut out Kightly, whose deliveries and direct running could unlock a frail Arsenal rearguard.
Per Mertesacker vs Peter Crouch
In this battle of the giants, Crouch is more mobile than his German counterpart, who has the upper hand when it comes to reading the game, and will need to do so to stop Stoke from exploiting Arsenal’s weaknesses from set pieces and aerial deliveries.
Crouch’s physicality will definitely let the cat among the pigeons in the Arsenal rearguard and his height and heading ability could provide Stoke a crucial winner at the Emirates.
Mertesacker will need to anticipate what the former Liverpool man does and mark him out of the game, or better still, eliminate the problem at source and mop up any crosses that come his way.
Aaron Ramsey/Abou Diaby/Mikel Arteta vs. Charlie Adam
Much like the way the Scotland international did at Blackpool, and to some extent at Liverpool, Charlie Adam dictates play in the Stoke midfield. With good dribbling skills, excellent set piece abilities and a fearsome shot, Adam is the archetypal British player who is not afraid of doing the graft and taking the flak for his team.
An all-action box-to-box midfielder, the onus of shackling him will belong to whoever Arsene Wenger chooses to deploy in the holding role. Aaron Ramsey played there against Liverpool, but the Frenchman might prefer his compatriot Diaby given Stoke’s physical play, but Mikel Arteta could also be fielded there, however unlikely it may be, given he’s just come back from injury.
The centre of the park is where games are won and lost, and the opportunity of converting defence into attack will lie there.
Jack Wilshere vs. Steven N’Zonzi
Together with Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere has borne the mantle of playmaker-in-chief for the Gunners. Capable of dominating midfield, if he is allowed to run riot in the centre of the park, Tony Pulis could see his side’s goal laid siege to. Given the attacking potential the Gunners possess, it is unlikely they will come out unscathed.
The task of closing down the Englishman will belong to Stephen N’Zonzi. Capable of more physical play with his size and strength, he could use those talents to nullify the more technical Wilshere.
However, he is going to have to be switched on throughout the game, and might have to get his hands dirty and see his name enter the referee’s copybook. Should he keep Wilshere quiet, however, it will all be worth it.
Olivier Giroud vs. Ryan Shawcross
Wales centre-back Shawcross relishes a physical battle and he will see himself go toe to toe with the Gunners in-form centre forward Olivier Giroud. The France international has scored five goals in his last three games and will be up for the tussle with the Stoke skipper.
Both men will be expected to lead by example and the one who triumphs over the other could turn the game in his side’s favour.
But to do that, both Giroud and Shawcross will have to act in complete cohesion with their offensive and defensive lines. The Gunners attack has been clicking these past weeks, and Stoke’s defenders are not afraid of doing what has to be done in order to keep their opponents at bay, even if it means taking a booking for the team.
