Match Preview: Arsenal vs Stoke City

Emirates Stadium (London)
 
Wednesday February 23rd, 2:45PM EST

Arsenal will turn their attention back to their Premier League title challenge when they play host to Stoke City. Arsenal can close to within one point of league leaders Manchester United with a victory over Stoke.

With the Gunners still battling for trophies on four fronts including a Carling Cup final this weekend, this fixture will kick off a hectic period of five games in 14 days for Arsenal, who are unbeaten in their last 10 games.

Stoke reached the last eight of the FA Cup at the weekend, and will be looking to follow that up with a positive result at the Emirates Stadium. Manager Tony Pulis told BBC Sport this week that his team will "have a right go" at Arsenal during this game as they look to pick up valuable points.

Arsenal will be without star striker Robin van Persie who is ruled out with a hamstring problem, while Laurent Koscielny is sidelined with a back injury. Abou Diaby is also out due to a suspension for the Gunners.

Winger Matthew Etherington is an injury doubt for Stoke after a back injury forced him out of the weekend's FA Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Asmir Begovic is likely to return in goal for Stoke after sitting out of the cup game.