Arsenal look to extend Premier League lead at Stoke
Published:
Matt Haynes | January 15, 2016
Stoke v Arsenal
- Premier League
- Sunday, January 17th
- Kick-off: 16:15 GMT
- Britannia Stadium, Stoke
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Gunners in Stoke’s sights?
Last time out, Stoke ran out 3-1 winners over Norwich City and are starting to gather momentum for an ambitious push towards the Premier League top four, with Staffordshire side currently four points adrift.
Jonathan Walters has been in great form recently, with the striker netting against the Canaries while also scoring the winner in the FA Cup against Doncaster Rovers and is 13/5 to strike anytime against Arsenal.
One of the key protagonists in those wins over both Manchester clubs was arguably one of Stoke’s players of the season; Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian bagged a brace against City and one against the Red Devils, while dictating play, so with odds of 3/1 in the anytime market, these are seen as great value.
Aspirational Arsenal seek to be sensational
Arsenal have endured no end of problems at the Britannia, who have won there just once since 2008. Last term, the Gunners lost 3-2 there and were harangued by angry at the train station following the defeat.
This term, they sit in first place in the Premier League albeit on goal difference, so there will no doubt be a determination to put as much distance between them and second place Leicester City as they can.
Last time out, forward Olivier Giroud, who looks back to his brilliant best, bagged a brace and is 7/1 to either equal or better that feat against the Potters.
Aaron Ramsey is another who, since his return from injury, has started to demonstrate his huge ability. At 5/2 in the anytime market, he will look to make it three in three matches.
Elneny a potential debutant
Having dipped into the January transfer market to sign Mohamed Elneny from Basel, the player could possibly make his debut against Stoke.
And, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels he has a great player on his hands: “I believe he will be a good addition to the squad. He can be box to box and be a holding midfielder so that is for us very promising. We wanted a versatile player and I wanted a player who can play defensive but can as well play to box to box.
“His strengths are his technical level, his vision, his intelligence, his disciplined attitude and his physical attitude to compete at a high level. I think he has the physical qualities to play at the top level.
“Where he needs to adapt is to the challenges, the force needed in the Premier League to survive. I think that could demand a little bit of adaptation. But overall I think he has all the attributes to do well.”
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Coral’s top tip: Back in-form Giroud to score two or more again @ 7/1 with Coral.
