Premier League: Stoke City v Arsenal - 6/12/14, 15:00

[MutableEarth]

I'm expecting us to play Sanchez, Giroud and Welbeck upfront. We need to play with some power and pace today.

Maitland-Niles travelled with the team today, remains to be seen whether he'll be in the 18 (We took 19 just in case Rosicky is unfit), but huge opportunity for him.

 

[Kroket]

@Arsenal
#Arsenal team to play Stoke: Martinez, Bellerin, Chambers, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Cazorla, Giroud

#Arsenal subs: Szczesny, Koscielny, Ajayi, Maitland-Niles, Campbell, Podolski, Welbeck #SCFCvAFC

 

[Monstar-Gunn4r]

Bellerin starting!!!!

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

No Kosh he is on the bench at least we are not risking him but without him our defense will badly suffer.

 

[Monstar-Gunn4r]

No Kosh he is on the bench at least we are not risking him but without him our defense will badly suffer.

If we can get through today and rest him midweek we've given him an extra week rest. Bellerin's pace is something Hughes won't be ready for either. Looks like a plan form Wenger to have pace from the full-backs... he's probably going to try and get behind them on the wings and stretch their defence.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Sky Sports Football ‏@SkyFootball
#SCFC XI to play #AFC: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross (c), Muniesa, Pieters; Nzonzi, Cameron; Diouf, Bojan, Walters; Crouch.

Stoke go with Attacking line up. Muniesa could be their weaker point.

 

[MutableEarth]

OK, I didn't expect that lineup!

Welbeck rested, Maitland Niles on the bench (!) and Kos rested too.

Looks like it will be Ox and Alexis on the wings with Caz in the middle. Good to see Bellerin FINALLY get a game too.

 

[fabo]

Hope Bellerin gets through OK today, major worry.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

Defense looks dodgy, not expecting much today.

 

[a_fourteen]

We are a little short with this lineup. Only three outfield players over 6 feet. Surprised he didn't pick Welbeck for height alone.

 

[Rex Stone]

F**k me that bench...

Anyway I'm glad Bellerin's finally playing we'll need someone rapid to handle Diouf. Thankfully that c**t Adam isn't playing.

 

[Toast]

Hmm.. not sure about this lineup. Good to see Kos is getting a break, although that probably means he just failed the late fitness test. I hope Mertesacker plays RCB though. He's even worse at LCB. Two teenagers and a half fit Gibbs as well.. big test for the defense today.

I'm very dissapointed Alexis is starting. The bench is very poor as well. Two players who aren't fully fit, two youngsters, two players who never get any gametime and Welbeck.

 

[Kroket]

Good thing for us Huth and Adam aren't playing, this Stoke side doesn't look as nasty as it usually does.

 

[Monstar-Gunn4r]

WOrry is Diouf and is one of those players that pops up in big matches

 

[stiiphunn]

Worrying line up. But happy to see Alexis starting - we absolutely need to keep winning in the EPL. He'll get some rest next week.

 

[Hunta]

Chambers is at CB, we'll win comfortably.

 

[GOONER1991]

I'm not prepared for the stress that this game is likely going to cause me after the Chelsea game.

Defence is worrying, as I haven't liked the Chambers-Mertesacker partnership previously, and Chambers-Bellerin on the right is very inexperienced.

 

[GOONER1991]

I want to see a good game from Giroud. He tends to perform well as a substitute, but doesn't have the same impact when starting.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Come on Arsenal let's get a good result.

 

[Rex Stone]

COYG! Let's do these cavemen.