It’s been a bizarre season for Arsenal so far. They started on fire, upsetting Chelsea in the Community Shield and winning two of their first three matches, with a draw to Liverpool in between. Then came a surprising 2-0 loss to West Ham at home and a disappointing close to their transfer window, leaving the Gunners in sixth place and their fans wondering just what’s going on right now.
Arsenal vs. Stoke City 2015 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Gunners had a weird August with a bad finish. After the international break gave them some time away, can they start September in better form?
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Arsene Wenger doesn’t want you to worry, though. No, despite some injury issues and a lack of a truly impressive performance so far this season, everything is fine. Really. Honest. Though since they’re facing a winless Stoke City team that’s looked fairly listless so far this season, their fans will be hoping for Arsenal to make the West Ham game look like a fluke and really put their authority on a game for the first time this season. If they do, all sins will be forgiven -- for now -- while Arsenal try to push closer to the top of the table. If they falter, though, things could get very ugly for the Gunners.
Key player -- Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Despite their seemingly constant efforts to replace him, Giroud is still the best striker Arsenal have. He’s also the only man to score a goal for the Gunners in the Premier League this season, with their other two so far in the campaign kindly scored for them by opposing players. While the rest of their attack continues to try to gel and grow into the season, Arsenal will need Giroud to continue his so-far consistent play to help them keep earning points.
Upset potential -- Moderate to low
We’ve seen time and again over the last couple of years that Mark Hughes’ team can shock anyone at any time. Last season closed with an incredible win over Liverpool that, while some people could have seen Stoke scraping a win, no one predicted the 6-1 thrashing they handed out.
However, that was a healthy and motivated Stoke side. Today’s version of the Potters seems -- less so. They’re badly battered by injury right now, and have played unimpressively so far this season. A big match against a still-settling Arsenal would be a great way for them to announce that they’re a threat again, but right now it’s really, really hard to see such a result occurring against a strong Gunners side.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Jack Wilshere (calf), Tomas Rosicky (knee), Danny Welbeck (knee) In doubt: none
Stoke City injuries and suspensions
Out: Ryan Shawcross (back), Peter Odemwingie (hamstring) In doubt: Marko Arnautovic (ankle), Mame Diouf (groin), Glen Johnson (hamstring)
Arsenal suffered two bad injury breaks, when both Welbeck and Wilshere suffered setbacks in their injury recoveries. Stoke are also very beat up right now, missing their best defender in Shawcross, and with three key attackers at less than 100 percent. Since the Gunners have the better depth, though, Stoke’s reserves stepping into the lineup will have to kick things up a notch in order to help their team out.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: USA Network (U.S.), Sportsnet regional networks (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
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