The Gunners were beaten 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium last season, and lost 3-1 in the FA Cup fourth round last month, writes Stewart Coggin.
Although Arsenal have twice been successful at home to Tony Pulis’ side since their promotion in 2008, they have struggled in the two away matches, failing to come to terms with Stoke’s combative, direct style and the long throws of Rory Delap.
long throws
“It is a game we want to win, and that isn’t necessarily linked to what happened before (the two defeats),” said Wenger.
“Stoke have scored 15 goals from set-pieces, 14 at home and the 14 at home is in a big part down to their long throws.
“But it is a team that plays football as well because I have seen them recently in the games and they have a good mixture between that efficiency and their play. I believe technically it is a team that have improved immensely compared to last season.”
Wenger was asked how teams should go about countering the Delap throw, and he is aware that his defenders will need to be on their mettle come Saturday.
“It is very difficult because it is exactly the same as a corner so we have to mark well, be well organised, come for it (the ball) and go for it,” he said.
“We have to not make an obsession of that. Stoke are a good football team as well, so we have to beat them on the ground and play at a good pace.”
hungry enough
Arsenal have played many of their closest rivals in the league, with arguably their two hardest matches to come the visit of Manchester City and the away match at Tottenham Hotspur. But Wenger stressed that although his side have already played the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool twice, there are plenty of potential pitfalls in the remaining fixtures.
“I believe Stoke is a big fixture as well,” he continued. “We know that Tottenham and Man City are big names but you can drop points everywhere, and teams have shown that this season.
“We have to be realistic, pragmatic, ambitious, but as well humble enough and hungry enough to understand that what people say is one thing but what goes on on the pitch is the most important thing. Lets be up for it.”
“Stoke are a good football team as well, so we have to beat them on the ground” – Arsene Wenger
Credits: PremierLeague.com
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