In the final matchup of the English Premier League round 3 scheduled to be played on Saturday, Stoke City, who narrowly lost to Everton 1:o, will host Arsenal, who took part in a 4:3 thriller but were luckily on the winning side. The best Stoke can hope for this season is a mid-table finish, while Arsenal will be expected to come out on top if they are serious about a title challenge this season.
Stoke City vs. Arsenal
3-Way: 1: Stoke +380; X: +285 Draw; 2: Arsenal -108
Spread +0.5: Stoke +112; Arsenal -115
Total +2.5: Over -115; Under +110
Stoke City
Stoke was unlucky not to get a result against an Everton side who won the game 1:0 through the sheer brilliance of Wayne Rooney, following his return to Goodison Park. The Potters went toe-to-toe with Everton and had a number of half-chances before they were undone just before half-time. The goal came after some slick passing play resulting in a cross and a free header for Wayne Rooney as he peeled away from the Stoke defense, who were otherwise sturdy throughout the game. Xherdan Shaqiri nearly salvaged something the game with a long-range effort forcing a save in stoppage time, but they couldn’t cross the ball over the line.
There were some positives to take from their first game of the season, including the performance of loanee Kurt Zouma who looked solid at the back and an astute addition to their squad. In addition, 33-year-old Premier League veteran Darren Fletcher who also joined this summer from West Brom had a commanding performance in midfield, as he completed 45 passes over the duration of the game, the greatest number of any player on the pitch. Despite the positives, Stoke’s failure to score means that they have not scored in seven of their last nine away games.
Stoke have been very active in the transfer window recently making some very impressive signings. Firstly, centre-back Bruno Martins Indi has come in from Porto after an initial year loan for around 7 million pounds to enforce their defense, while winger Jesé has come in on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Going the other way has been forward Joselu to Newcastle for 5 million pounds and centre-back Marc Muniesa has been sent out on loan to Girona FC.
Manager Mark Hughes will have a full squad for Saturday’s match.
Arsenal
The Gunners took part in an incredible Premier League curtain-raiser last Friday, in which they beat 2015-16 league champions Leicester City 4:3 in an enthralling game at the Emirates. Arsenal kicked-off the goals-galore after just two minutes as a drilled cross was guided in by new boy Alexandre Lacazette, who couldn’t have asked for a better start to his Arsenal career. Leicester struck back just a couple of minutes later with a header from Shinji Okazaki, then Vardy who caused the Arsenal defense problems all game, converted a great whipped ball in from Marc Albrighton to give Leicester the lead. Murmurs of discontent started to arise but a goal by Welbeck just before half time came after Sead Kolasinac generously gifted him the ball for an open goal, avoiding a poor half-time reception from the Arsenal fans.
Arsenal came out in the second half looking bright but managed to concede a third through Vardy once again, as he rose high to head home from a corner with Arsenal goalkeeper Cech getting nowhere near the ball. Nerves kicked in with the realization that Arsenal could be looking at the third loss in four Premier League opening game fixtures. Thankfully for The Arsenal, two substitutions made by manager Arsene Wenger, namely Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, were the impulse that they needed to score. Firstly, Xhaka played Ramsey in who tucked the ball away after a stunning touch to set himself up and smash it home past the perplexed Leicester goalkeeper. And then, four minutes later, the hero of the hour, or ninety minutes, Olivier Giroud scored a signature headed goal, using just his neck muscles, while coming under strong challenge from the Leicester defense, to fizz it onto the underside of the crossbar and over the line in the 85th minute. Of Olivier Giroud’s last ten goals, seven of them have come in the last ten minutes. As the whistle blew, Arsenal fans left the Emirates Stadium delighted but probably aged more than ninety minutes through stress.
The defending performance was terrible but that was in-part due to no recognized centre-halves being fielded due to injuries, other than a young inexperienced Rob Holding who had a tough time with the pace of Leicester attacks, often being drawn wide when he seems more comfortable in a central position and also misplacing passes. The other two center-backs, Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal, were natural left-backs, so understandably they weren’t at their best. Despite the injuries to a plethora of centre-backs, including Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, and Per Mertesacker, Wenger may be looking at bringing in another centre-back in as it looks as though a deal for Gabriel to Valencia has already been completed and Calum Chambers may also be on his way out.
Further up the field, there were some good performance, Granit Xhaka with two assists and 99 completed passes and new man Sead Kolasinac putting in a man of the match performance with his powerful and strong play. It should also be noted that despite Wenger preferring a solo striker, when Giroud came on he played alongside Alexandre Lacazette and both worked together well in tandem without getting in each other’s way as you might expect. Further positive signs are Welbeck’s goal, who has always had too many injury issues to get a long stint in the side but may prove to be a very useful player this year, and Lacazette’s first goal which should give him the confidence and momentum to continue scoring week in week out.
Arsene Wenger will be without Santi Cazorla after he received ankle surgery, meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez (abdominal) and Per Mertesacker (head) are doubtful.
Stoke City vs. Arsenal – MATCH PREDICTION
Stoke are often considered as Arsenal’s bogey team, but Arsenal won 3:1 and 4:1 last season so this opinion should not bear any relevance. Furthermore, Arsenal should have center backs Mustafi and Mertesacker back from injury, and will consequently be a more solid unit.
Stoke have probably not improved as a side since last season with their transfer window, although they played a decent game against a good Everton side. Stoke are often thought of as a tough defensive side and this often caused Arsenal problems before, but since Mark Hughes, he has implemented more of a passing style of play, so may set themselves up to concede a few.
I would predict Arsenal to just edge the game with both teams scoring.
MY PICK: Arsenal to win (-108)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-125)
