Stoke were unfortunate to concede a last minute penalty, away to Reading, in their first match of the season. Adam Le Fondre scored to deny the Potters all three points... but, in fairness, Reading deserved something from the game. The Royals matched their visitors all through the 90 minutes and it was only a mistake from goal keeper Adam Federici that allowed Michael Kightly to score for Stoke.

Arsenal v Sunderland
Reuters

Arsenal , meanwhile, will travel to the Britannia Stadium to face a Stoke City team who would love to force the same kind of result from the Gunners Sunderland did on the opening day, when they held Arsene Wenger's new look strike-force to a disappointing goalless draw.

German international Lukas Podolski had a poor home debut for his new club, as did fellow new signing Olivier Giroud. However, Spaniard Santi Cazorla was an absolute handful for the Black Cats' defenders and Wenger will want the former Malaga and Villarreal attacker to keep to that level for as long as possible, which should allow Podolski and Giroud time to settle in to the club.

Overview and Tactics

The Gunners' hosts for this game are likely to create an atmosphere as redolent of déjà vu as they possibly can. If there is one thing the Potters and the Black Cats have in common, it is their physical approach to the game and just as Martin O'Neill did at the Emirates, Tony Pulis will hope to do at the Britannia.

Arsene Wenger and Tony Pulis
Reuters

This means Arsenal players will have to put in extra shifts throughout the pitch and deal with strong tackles and challenges. In addition, the Gunners must be wary of the aerial threats Stoke have - Peter Crouch, Shawcross, Kenwyne Jones, Robert Huth and, of course, the Rory Delap bomb-like throw-ins to feed off. There is also a bit of pace in there, with former Tottenham player Matthew Etherington in the squad. Pulis would have welcomed Jermaine Pennant as well but the former Gunner is out injured.

Unfortunately for Wenger, the Britannia stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners. The London club has won only once in the last four fixtures there - back in 2009. However that game will be remembered more for Ryan Shawcross' tackle on Aaron Ramsey; the Welshman was out of the game for 10 months because of the broken leg from that tackle. Meanwhile, Wenger will need to decide whether to retain Podolski up front or give Giroud a chance. Expect Theo Walcott and Gervinho, along with Cazorla, to form the supply line.

Team News and Probable Line-Ups

Stoke will have a nearly complete squad to chose from for this game; the only exception being Penannt and Dean Whitehead, who is serving a suspension.

Arsenal have been bolstered by the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but centre back Laurent Koscielny's calf injury means the Frenchman is still unavailable. That will leave Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker to continue in front of Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish international will face a late fitness test but is expected to feature. Wenger will be without long-term injuries Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna.

Stoke (4-4-1-1): Begovic; Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson; Kightly, Whealan, Delap, Wilson; Walters; Crouch

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Gibbs, Mertesacker, Vermalen, Jenkinson; Diaby, Arteta; Cazorla, Gervinho, Walcott; Podolski

Where to Watch Live (all times BST):

You can watch all the action, live, from 1 pm onwards, on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1.

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