3 Key battles that will determine Arsenal’s fate against Stoke City

1. Aerial Balls vs Arsenal Defense

Arsenal’s aerial prowess will be tested

Well Stoke will always be Stoke. Their strength lies in putting crosses into the box and ensuring that their big center forward gets onto the end of those crosses. While the current emphasis on that topic has diminished, it still remains Stoke’s biggest strength.

They have two excellent crossers in Charlie Adam and Marko Arnautovic and Peter Crouch will look to get onto the end of those crosses. They will also pose a threat from set pieces when their big defenders come up to attack. Arsenal will have to ensure that they do not leave any of these players unmarked or it could well be their undoing.

2. Midfield Domination

Arsenal’s entire game is based on dominating the midfield by hogging the ball and creating chances. So Stoke midfielders will have their work cut out and will have to continuously press Arsenal players off the ball as well as maintain their shape. Affording the likes of Cazorla and Ozil time on the ball could be very dangerous for them.

Further, Arsenal’s game is built on midfield runners going beyond the defense and this has yielded them many goals this season. Glenn Whelan and Wilson Palacios will have to ensure that they keep track of the runs off the ball otherwise things might turn ugly for the Potters.

3. Begovic vs Arsenal Attack

Asmir Begovic

Last season, Asmir Begovic was one of the best keeper in the Premier League and so far this season, he has continued much in the same vein. He averages 2.41 saves per game and he will have his work cut out against an Arsenal side that are among the most creative in the league.

He will have to put in a good shift throughout the 90 minutes in order to keep the Arsenal attack at bay considering that they have created 294 chances in their 27 matches. They average over 10 shots per game, having attempted 280 shots, and considering the 55% shot accuracy, Begovic is likely to have a busy afternoon.