The Game

If disappointing results against Ipswich Town and Leyton Orient in Cups mean we get a second chance either in a second leg or replay, the English Premiership is not so forgiving and tonight we simply cannot fail against Tony Pulis’ Stoke City.

Laurent Koscielny and Robin van Persie are both injured and will be replaced by Sebastien Squillaci and – most likely – Nicklas Bendtner respectively with Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri all expected to return in the side after getting a well-deserved rest on Sunday. Theo Walcott is also set to feature after recovering from a hamstring injury.

According to manager Arsene Wenger, all injured players – except Thomas Vermaelen and Emmanuel Frimpong of course – should be fit and available for Sunday’s League Cup Final but before focusing on that one, we have to battle our way past the Potters.

And, until you wait for kick-off, check out why Arsene Wenger believes Ignasi Miquel is still not ready to feature in the English Premier League or Champions League, where Samir Nasri is in terms of extending his stay with the Gunners and why Andrey Arshavin is so happy with the winner scored against Barcelona.

As always, please do join the discussion in our chat room which will also be active after the full time whistle. You will be glad to know that from this season, to provide a better chat experience to our readers, users can be banned if they post offensive comments.

Streaming Links

For those who don’t know where to watch the game, maybe we can help, follow this link for streaming options. Links are updated before and during the match.

The Line-Ups

Arsenal

Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Bendtner, Nasri

Subs: Almunia, Rosicky, Denilson, Arshavin, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh

Stoke City

Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Pugh, Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Whelan, Walters, Carew

Subs: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Collins, Jones, Fuller, Diao, Wilkinson

Half-Time Thoughts and Analysis

As usual, refresh this page at the end of the first 45 minutes for the half-time thoughts and analysis. And as always, don’t forget to tune in at the end of the game for our thoughts, analysis, player ratings and match video highlights.