Is it Walcott's turn for a hattrick performance?

Written by Jon Shay on 09 December 2016. Posted in 1886 Previews

arsenal vs stoke premier league match preview 2016

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Stoke - Premier League - 10.12.16

Arsenal brushed away any lingering disappointment of losing just our second match of the 2016-17 campaign in stirring style, erupting for nine goals over the two matches following our exit to Southampton in the EFL Cup. Arsenal have managed to heap pressure on Chelsea, somehow sustain league form and to win our Champions League group over PSG. Finding that kind of form after sputtering a bit through November should come in handy as an old nemesis pays a visit: Stoke. Of course, the man at the helm these days has put more than a few over Arsène in his day. It's up to our lads to ensure that he can't do the same again on Saturday.

While Hughes does deserve credit for reducing the overall Orcishness of the Stoke squad, there are still a fair few of the old guard left. Although cartoonish villain #1 may be unavailable, Shawcross could still watch as others like Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters mug us on the pitch. The overhaul of the squad under Hughes is, in other words, not yet complete. Still, recent additions do pose a threat. Bojan, Shaqiri, and Arnautovic have been joined by the likes of Wilfried Bony and Joe Allen. In the process, Hughes has been grafting a more-dangerous offensive edge to the fierce defensive platform Stoke are renowned for (to be clear, "fierce" is offered as a polite euphemism for less-polite adjectives.) After a sputtering start to their season in which their only win in in their first nine matches was over Stevenage in the League Cup, they've now lost just once in their last nine, including a brave draw at Old Trafford in early October.

In other words, they're likely to put up much more of a fight than West Ham ("we're already sizing up Championship sides for next year") and FC Basel ("we're chuffed just to have been included"). The risk of overconfidence is likely to be just as much of a factor, with some Gooner wags wondering who will be the next to notch a hat-trick after Alexis and Lucas did so against West Ham and Basel. There's only one other player in the squad regularly referred to by his first name, and something tells me we shouldn't count on a hat-trick from Gabriel.

I'm looking instead to Walcott, who's gone quiet of late but is also well-rested, having come on late against Basel. His pace and those fresh legs should pose a challenge to Stoke's left side. Erik Pieters is quick to pick up a foul or two, not to mention a booking, and he'll have to be careful against Walcott, who has shown a greater determination and desire to take defenders on. With Özil creating the chances, Walcott should be in for a very influential if not productive outing.

LAST 3 Meetings

Stoke 0-0 Arsenal (17.01.2016
Arsenal 3-0 Stoke (11.01.2015)
Stoke 3-2 Arsenal (06.12.2014)

FACTFILE

The two clubs first clashed in a 1904 Division 1 match, a 2-1 win to Woolwich Arsenal.
Arsenal have a 100% record against Stoke in eight matches at the Emirates. The aggregate scoreline in these games is 19-3 to Arsenal.
The last time Stoke won away over Arsenal was in 1981
Arsenal have won their last 14 home matches against Stoke in all competitions, including eight Premier League games.
The Potters have conceded 19 goals and scored just three in their eight league matches at the Emirates Stadium.
Stoke's last win at Arsenal was by 1-0 at Highbury in the top flight in August 1981, with Lee Chapman scoring the only goal.
Arsenal could go 14 matches without defeat in the Premier League for the first time since a 16-match streak between December 2010 and April 2011.
Stoke have conceded just five goals in nine games since goalkeeper Lee Grant came into the team.
Arsenal's next draw will be their 500th in the top flight.
Stoke have lost only one of their last nine Premier League matches (W5, D3).
Alexis Sanchez has had a hand in 25 goals in his last 25 league games for Arsenal (18 goals and seven assists).
The Potters have kept four clean sheets in their last seven Premier League fixtures, including their last two matches.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored six league and cup goals this season - his best return since joining the Gunners.
Stoke's last 54 Premier League goals (excluding own goals) have been scored by non-English players since Peter Crouch netted for the Potters on 24 May 2015.
Theo Walcott is one shy of 100 career club goals (including five for Southampton).