Stoke City Fan View: How Stoke can get a positive result against Arsenal

Arsenal have been in scintillating form recently and that is largely down due to Alexis Sanchez’s form. The Chilean has arguably been the best player in the league over the last month, and demonstrated his unbelievable skill and technique against West Ham.

His three goals all showed a high level of skill, composure and trickery in fooling Darren Randolph and the West Ham defence. What can’t go unnoticed in this game is how frequently Alexis got in behind the West Ham back four. I feel a similar fate could be seen unless we play a lot deeper line.

Although that creates more space for Mesut Özil, it’s a risk worth taking as Alexis at the moment on current form is a lot more dangerous than Özil. It will be an interesting battle for certain, and I’ll be hoping he will be fatigued due to the recent trip to Basel. Regardless it will be a difficult task.

Play Mame Diouf for this fixture

In this game, we will need to hit Arsenal on the counter in a best attempt to get a result at the Emirates. I may sound like a broken record but I don’t feel we are playing to our full potential with Jon Walters as a striker and Mame Diouf as a right wing back.

With Mame Diouf his speed is ideal for this game in particular, we will need constant running to get back in behind the Arsenal back four. As they will have the majority of the ball we will need to capitalise on the high line they will keep.

Unfortunately, Walters is a willing runner but doesn’t offer enough speed to beat Mustafi and Koscielny. For this reason alone we need to play Diouf as without him there’s no out ball and a way to release ourselves from the waves of pressure. Also you could argue that Diouf is more of an aerial threat and often finds himself in great positions. Just his composure can be his downfall.

Recall Joe Allen

Although Charlie Adam has been good, I think it’s right if we include Joe Allen in this fixture. There were times where Imbula and Adam were overran in the midfield leaving the back 3 quite exposed.

With no disrespect to Burnley who are a half decent side, but a team with more quality would’ve opened us up and scored a couple of goals. Andre Gray and Ashley Barnes had a few decent chances as a result of the midfield being very open, with Joe Allen though holding it gives a better balance.

Allen is a bit like Kante in terms he’s everywhere on the pitch and never stops for 90 minutes. We will need him in the team to be pressing and trying to force mistakes out of Arsenal’s key players when they’re in the final third.