Arsenal depleted again for visit to high-flying Stoke

Stoke City

• Abdoulaye Faye and Andy Wilkinson are available again after suspension.
• Tony Pulis’s side is unbeaten in their last ten matches in all competitions.
• Stoke beat Arsenal 3-1 in the FA Cup at the Britannia Stadium last month.

• The Potters are unbeaten in their last three home games against the Gunners, winning the last two.
• Winger Matthew Etherington is still struggling with a knee injury.
• Danny Higginbotham remains a doubt with a back problem.

Arsenal

• Striker Eduardo is fit to return after hamstring trouble.
• Captain Cesc Fabregas has scored six goals in his last nine matches.

• Russian star Andrei Arshavin has failed to recover from a hamstring problem.
• Defender William Gallas is sidelined again by calf trouble.
• Midfielder Abou Diaby is struggling with a knee injury.
• The Gunners last won at Stoke in January 1990.
• Kieran Gibbs will miss the rest of the season with a foot problem.
• Dutch star Robin van Persie is out until the end of April with an ankle injury.
• Defender Johan Djourou has been ruled out for the campaign with a knee problem.

Expert Advice

Any thoughts that Stoke could struggle in the second half of the campaign following a mid-season blip have firmly been put to bed over the last two months with Tony Pulis’s side having become one of the hardest teams to beat in the Premier League. Their ten-match unbeaten run is hugely impressive bearing in mind some of the sides they have had to play and the visit of Arsenal will hold no fears for them. The Potters have already beaten Arsenal once this year at the Britannia Stadium and they relish taking on the bigger teams at home. Having Eduardo available again will be a boost for the Gunners but it could be another uncomfortable afternoon for them in the Potteries, and Betsson’s odds of 3.5 for a draw looks a value bet.

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