Stoke City's Charlie Adam (top) gets a yellow card for this foul on Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez during their English Premier League soccer match in Stoke, northern England December 6, 2014.
Stoke City's Charlie Adam (top) gets a yellow card for this foul on Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez during their English Premier League soccer match in Stoke, northern England December 6, 2014. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Arsenal have a decent record against the current Stoke City team especially at home yet for some reason they have been able to take points off Arsene Wenger's men time and time again. The team that were managed by Tony Pulis used to frustrate Wenger's men by playing the physical game and bully them into submission.

In the last ten matches between Arsenal and Stoke, the Gunners have won five with three losses and two draws. At the Emirates however they have won the last four matches on the trot. The last corresponding meeting finished three one to Arsenal. However earlier in the season Arsenal lost to Stoke away from home with a three-two score line.

Arsenal have been guilty of conceding a lot of soft goals this season. A lot of these unforced errors were result of a lack of understanding among the back four who were still getting used to playing with each other. Now with the first choice defenders back to full fitness the manager would hope that the team would be solid at the back. With a solid base the Gunners have enough creativity to make chances to score goals.

In the last five matches across all competitions that Arsenal have played, they have won three of them, losing and drawing one each. Stoke on the other hand have also won three of their last five matches. They have drawn and lost one each.

Arsenal should have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, Yaya Sanogo, Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta as well as Mesul Ozil back from injury for the fixture. With a much larger squad to choose from Wenger should be able to pick a strong team which should at least on paper be more than enough to beat Stoke City.

Stoke City on the other hand should be buoyed by their recent win over Arsenal and draw against Manchester United. Playing against the big clubs is as much a mental issue as it is a technical and strategically factor. If they are motivated to get a result against a club they have had success in the recent past then they can make it very difficult for Arsenal to get anything out of this game.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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