Arsenal have been slow starters this season, taking just seven points from a possible 12 through the first four matches. The Gunners could explode for a big win at home in Emirates Stadium against Stoke, who’re currently sitting in the relegation zone. Arsenal would need all the points they could get to catch up with the league-leading Manchester City, who are yet to lose this season.
Get some more of the hottest soccer action this weekend. Check out the complete previews for Everton vs. Chelsea and Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City.
[sc:Soccer ]Arsenal vs. Stoke Preview
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Saturday, September 12, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Stoke +850 at Arsenal -455, tie +440; total 3.0 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Arsenal
Arsenal took a tightly contested match, 1-0, against New Castle last week but it didn’t come without a fight. New Castle played with just 10 men after Aleksander Mitrovic was sent off, and the Gunners won on an own goal by Fabricio Coloccini.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Gunners will be without one of their best attackers in Danny Welbeck, who will be out until Christmas. But they should be well taken care off with a wealth of attacking players in Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott. Giroud has been the only Gunner to score this season, off an assist from Mesut Özil. The other two of Arsenal’s three goals came on opponents’ own goals.
Having Sanchez may be the difference maker in this match. The Chilean midfielder led Arsenal with 16 goals last season. He also had a knack for feeding his teammates for crucial goals with eight assists. Santi Cazorla was also an excellent playmaker with a team-high 11 assists last season. If Arsenal are to win this match, then it’ll be through their talent-rich midfield.
An excellent goalie in Petr Cech should be nearly impenetrable against one of the league’s cellar dwellers. Stoke were shut out in a 1-0 loss to West Bromwich. Arsenal have won the past three matches between the two sides at Emirates Stadium.
Betting on Stoke
Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam were both sent off in Saturday’s loss to West Bromwich Albion, but Stoke still held their opponents off in a tight 1-0 loss. Stoke now sit in the relegation zone at 18th in the table. They’ll need a monumental upset if they are to get their first win of the season. The Potters had one such win last year, beating Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
Stoke may not have a win yet this season, but they can be rest assured that Mame Biram Diouf is in fine form. The Potters’ premier striker has two goals through the first three matches of the season, both away from home. Marko Arnautovic also has a goal away from home, scoring from the spot against Tottenham in the season opener.
This match being on the road, expect Stoke to play conservatively in their own half. The Potters would likely play some tight defense, waiting to steal possession from Arsenal to look for counterattacks. Arsenal are a very aggressive team with tendency to get their defenders involved in the offense, thus giving Stoke some opportunities to score on the break.
Stoke’s two away games this season resulted in draws.
Writer’s Prediction
Arsenal (-455) finally breakthrough with a dominant 2-0 victory. Create a betting account now and win some cash on the best soccer leagues in the world.
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