Arsenal v Stoke: Pulis targets success at the Emirates
Stoke have given Arsenal some real hard times over the past three seasons, but they have failed to even gain a single point at the Emirates in that time and have only managed to score once, through a Ricardo Fuller penalty. However, this weekend Tony Pulis' men head to the capital looking to rewrite the history books.
Arsenal start the weekend two points behind the Potters after enduring a poor start to the season. But the Gunners have lost only once at home during this campaign and will have been boosted by their late win and clean sheet against Marseille in midweek.
With Robin Van Persie in sparkling form up front and Szczesny performing heroics at the back, Arsenal are slowly but surely getting back to what is expected of them, but Peter Crouch, Matthew Etherington and Matthew Upson will all have points to prove.
Stoke City put in a great display against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night, sending the Israelis home with a 3-0 spanking. The Potters are top of their qualifying group and most fans will be wondering what is the big deal about playing in Europe. However, Stoke have lost their last two Premier League games after their European exploits and the bookies believe this will be a third defeat for the men from the Britannia.
Arsenal do remain a bit fragile though and you can guarantee that Stoke will not let them rest on the ball for a second. Both teams will be desperate to win but the majority of the panel believe it will be another home win for the Gunners.
Arsenal v Stoke; Kick Off 1.30pm October 23 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Arsenal are expected to see off stubborn Stoke.
Home: 26; Draw: 8; Away: 2.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
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