Arsenal vs Stoke City Preview - Duo ruled out for Gunners

Posted Wednesday, February 23, 2011 by PA

Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny will miss Arsenal's Barclays Premier League match with Stoke on Wednesday after picking up hamstring and back injuries respectively.

Manager Arsene Wenger described the injuries as "short-term" and hopes the key duo will be fit for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Birmingham.

Johan Djourou missed the FA Cup draw with Leyton Orient with a back problem but is now fully fit and will start at the Emirates Stadium. Abou Diaby is suspended and long-term absentees Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) remain sidelined.

Wenger's side beat Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium last week but were brought swiftly down to earth against League One side Orient on Sunday.

Nevertheless, the Gunners know that a return to winning ways against Stoke will see them close the gap on leaders Manchester United to just one point in the first match in a gruelling schedule which could see them play six times in 17 days.

Arsenal have lost three times at home this year - more than any other team in the top six - and Wenger thinks their form at the Emirates could prove decisive in their push to win their first title in seven years.

"We know we are in a strong position," the 61-year-old said. "The players know that at home our results will have a vital importance to have a chance to win the title.

"The focus will be natural, this team wants to win every single game and the players are disappointed after the Leyton Orient result."

Wednesday's game will see the renewal of a rivalry which has boiled over on several occasions over the last few years.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis accused Wenger of "moaning like a drain" over fixture congestion last season, while the Frenchman slammed Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross for his "horrendous" tackle which broke Aaron Ramsey's leg in March 2010.

Wenger then upped the ante by comparing Stoke's style to a rugby team this season and is aware of the visitors' physical strength with players like John Carew and Kenwyne Jones.

"What is important for us against Stoke is for us to have the ball, because the more we can have the ball then the less dangerous they can be in the air," he said.

"We will try to dominate and master the game, because as long as we have the ball, they cannot be dangerous.

Stoke Pulis has warned his players they face a potential hiding if they are not "switched on."

"I went to their game with Barcelona, and it was a fantastic game," said Pulis, whose side visit the Emirates Stadium for what is a re-arranged fixture that was initially postponed before Christmas due to bad weather.

"For all of Barcelona's dominance, and they were very dominant at times, Arsenal still had very good chances. Robin van Persie could have scored a hat-trick.

"Arsenal will be delighted to be 2-1 ahead and heading out for the return with a great opportunity of going through. It means the second game will be a great one.

"But in watching that game I can say we're not on their level, I think everybody accepts that.

"So we just have to go there and do our best, and that's what we'll do.

"We have to be switched on. It's a game we know will be very, very difficult, even if we play at our best. If we don't, then we're in trouble."

Although Stoke sit in a relatively comfortable 10th place in the table, they are still far from safe as they are only six points above the relegation zone.

Aside from an FA Cup quarter-final tie at home to West Ham, Pulis' main concern now is ploughing through the 40-point barrier that is often viewed as the target required for safety.

With Stoke seven points shy at present, Pulis added: "I've said to the players we've a great opportunity now at the back end of this season.

"Although we've some very tough games in the Premier League coming up, we have to get the 40 points, that's massively important for us.

"The basis of the Premier League is that you have to get to those 40 points as quick as you can because no-one is safe.

"Just look at the table and some of the teams below us who have been in this league for a long time and have more experience than us.

"It shows you have no God-given right to be anywhere and accept anything other than the fact you have to get those 40 points as quickly as you can."

The Potters are likely to be missing Matthew Etherington, who has sustained a back injury understood to be linked to a defect in his jawline.

Asmir Begovic will return in goal ahead of Thomas Sorensen, while Dean Whitehead is due to figure after being rested as an unused substitute for Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Brighton.