Sixth placed Arsenal will be looking to climb closer to a top four spot when they host eleventh placed Stoke City. Join The Roar from 12:30am AEDT on Monday morning for live score updates and commentary.
After suffering an embarrassing defeat to Southampton in their last Premier League fixture, the Gunners will need defensive structure if they wish to shut down the Potters.
With defensive errors being the main cause of Arsenal’s inability to acquire consistent results, Aresne Wenger will need his men in the back to be more organised if they wish to compete in the Champions League next season.
Coming off a win against Hull City in their last fixture in the FA Cup, Arsenal will host Stoke City with some momentum on their back, and will need to use that if they wish to send the Potters home with no points.
Arsene Wenger has suffered more blows with his side, with first choice keeper Szczesny being fined for smoking after a game in the locker room. Wenger may opt to play David Ospina against Stoke instead as further punishment for the Polish keeper.
Arsenal however will be boosted by the return of striker Olivier Giroud, who has served his three-match ban and is back available for selection. Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil are still in doubt for the upcoming fixture.
Stoke City have lost just one of their past five fixtures, to league leaders Chelsea. Coming off a draw against Manchester United and a FA Cup win over Wrexham, the Potters will be hoping to build on their positive results when they take on the Gunners.
Striker Peter Crouch has scored more goals against Arsenal than he has against any other side, and will be looking to extend that tally at the Emirates.
Stoke City have also shown interest in Xherdan Shaqiri – he would be a great addition to the squad should he decide to join the Potters.
It has been just over one month since these two teams last met, and it was Stoke City that reigned supreme in an astonishing game. The Potters were up by three at half time before the Gunners scored two goals in the second half in a comeback effort that was not to be.
Arsenal has won twelve in a row at home against Stoke City, however failed to keep a clean sheet in their past six Premier League fixtures. Expect them to continue on both of those trends.
My prediction: Arsenal 2 – 1 Stoke City
Can Arsenal avenge their last loss against Stoke City, or will the Potters make it two in a row against the Gunners? Join us on The Roar from 12:30am AEDT to find out.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining The Roar on this English Premier League live blog, we look forward to enjoying your company again. Good night!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT Arsenal go on to dominate Stoke City, and extend their winning streak against the Potters at home to thirteen wins a row, whilst avenging their three-two loss five weeks ago. An early goal by Laurent Koscielny entered the Gunners in their groove, but once again the star of the show was Alexis Sanchez, who set up the first goal before netting two of his own to put Arsenal up by three and place them in fifth position on the Premier League table. The win did not come without sacrifice, with Debuchy being stretchered off in the first half after suffering an injury to his shoulder. Stoke City started off physically, but were shut down and eventually seemed to give up, and give Arsenal an easy three points via an easy three goals. The final score at the Emirates the referee finally blows the whistle for full time which is met by a roar from the Arsenal crowd. The final score at the Emirates: ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - The referee Jonathon Moss finally blows the whistle for full time which is met by a roar from the Arsenal crowd. The final score at the Emirates: ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - Arsenal content to just hold the ball up.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Arsenal moving the ball around nicely still. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - There will be two minutes of play added on. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Chance for Stoke now, Ireland shoots low and wide but Ospina does well to dive and save. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - The pace of the game has slowed down dramatically now. It was over a long time ago, but some decent football still being played. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - Stoke City can't wait for the final whistle. No drive in their squad after that third goal. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Another chance for Arsenal. Cazorla with a great pass to Mesut Ozil who takes a touch and hits it over and wide. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - Some more incredible passing by the Gunners before Monreal's cross is cleared away. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
82' - Arsenal's fans more and more vocal, at the start of the match they felt like they had nothing to sing about. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - Long ball into the Arsenal box by Cameron finds no one. Crosses have not been working by Stoke City- in fact they are really just a waste of a ball. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Another great chance by Arsenal, Sanchez feels Walcott but Walcott's effort is very poor and the ball goes well wide. Three goals up or not, he should have done better. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - Ozil is looking tentative out there, maybe he has some issues regarding his mental game? ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
76' - Stoke City a nice piece of play that would have been a goal but it was deemed offside. Cameron was deemed offisde after the flick back header from Crouch. Much better from Stoke City, but too little too late. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
75' - A less physical and intense second half, it looks like Sanchez's second goal removed all of Stoke's hope. They are sure playing as if that is the case. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
74' - Sanchez comes up with the ball after a defensive mistake and goes for a chip after Begovic is off his line but hits it over the bar for a Stoke City goal kick. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - Let's see how this lay off has affected Ozil. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
72' - SUBSTITUTION for ARSENAL Mesut Ozil is welcomed back from injury, and he is replacing Olivier Giroud. ARSENAL 3 - 0 STOKE CITY