Arsene Wenger expects Stoke to give Arsenal plenty of trouble when the Gunners travel to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
- Wenger has failed to win eight out of 19 matches against Stoke
- Arsenal need win to keep pressure on Manchester City and Liverpool
- Stoke are 13th in the league
- Manager describes rivalry with Stoke as ‘fierce’
Arsenal beat Stoke 3-1 at the Emirates back in September but playing away against the Potters always has been a different kettle of fish.
A poisonous, hostile atmosphere combined with Arsenal’s uncertain form this season means that the Gunners will have to fight for a result.
Speaking ahead of the match, Wenger admitted that he expects trouble from Mark Hughes’ side when playing on their turf.
“Traditionally there is a fierce rivalry and they had always a very direct game against us,” the manager told Arsenal.com.
“Overall, I must say as well that they have had good teams. Stoke are now regular participants in the Premier League for years, and that means that anybody who goes there is in trouble.
“We have to show character again. We know we have to play to win the games, so let’s keep the focus on the way we want to play and on our team spirit.
“You can see that the team is together, fights and is ready for it and we have to recover now physically and see how everybody is for Saturday and see do I need to make some changes.
“Does Koscielny come back or not? How bad is Chamberlain? Because if he’s not bad it would be quite welcome because he is fresh.”
Arsenal need a win in order to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four this season alive.
In 19 games against Stoke, Wenger has won 11. However, the five he’s lost and three he’s drawn have all come away from home.