Stoke City vs Arsenal: Preview and Prediction

Charlie Nicholas is tipping Arsenal to edge to a thrilling 3-2 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Arsene Wenger’s men head into the game against the Potters knowing that they need at least a draw to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal will be keen to return to winning ways and prove their doubters wrong following the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser in Wednesday night’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

The north London side have struggled against Stoke away from home in recent seasons.

However, former Arsenal man Nicholas feels that Wenger’s men are likely to have the edge over their opponents when they take on the Potters on Sunday afternoon.

Nicholas told Sky Sports News HQ: “This is as tough as it gets for Arsenal. Stoke haven’t been playing that well recently but I can see them reverting to the way they played when beating Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea at the Britannia. They have quality and can be very robust and I think they’ll try and block off possession to Mesut Ozil.

“If Arsenal can get the likes of Hector Bellerin high up the pitch and Theo Walcott involved they could cause Stoke problems, particularly with Olivier Giroud in good goalscoring form. Jon Walters’ energy and drive will cause Per Mertesacker problems but I think Walcott could be key in this match.

My heart is ruling my head here, but if Arsenal are going to clinch the title these are the games they need to win.”

Arsenal are currently third in the table behind Leicester City and Manchester City as they look to win their first Premier League title since their famous unbeaten triumph back in

 2003-04.