Arsenal have not been the most convincing in their last few games, but what they have done is pick up victories, even if they might have been narrow ones. The Gunners will now look for another three points, with a bit of goalscoring oomph, when they take on Stoke City at a stadium they don't particularly like playing in the English Premier League.
A match between Arsenal and Stoke is always heated, considering what happened to Aaron Ramsey a few years ago, and another "better watch out for your legs" battle can be expected when Arsene Wenger's men touches down at the Britannia.
Arsenal are currently sixth with 23 points, and they can go level on points with third-placed Southampton, and a point above Manchester United, with a victory over Stoke City.
"It's always a tough and committed place to go but we dictate the way we want to play at that level of commitment," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "It's a football game, not a hate game. We want to focus on playing football.
"Stoke don't lose many games at home and have good records against many good teams."
The Potters certainly do play more football -- and less rugby, as the rival fans like to sing now and again -- under Mark Hughes, and one player who thinks Stoke are capable of beating Arsenal at their own game is midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.
"Arsenal don't like coming to Stoke and that is important for us to know before these games," said N'Zonzi according to the Daily Mail. "When you are physical against a technical team they don't really like it, that is obvious.
"They are not a physical side and prefer technical players over tall and strong. It is good to be physical and be close to them so you have an advantage. Our style of play is different now, though, and we have good quality.
"Can we beat them with football this time? Of course.
"With Tony Pulis it was more the physical play and focusing on the defensive side and we had a really strong team. Under Mark Hughes it is different, we try and pass the ball more and the style of football is changing at Stoke City.
"We are always ready for this type of game and so it's a good challenge."
While Arsenal have won their last two Premier League games, Stoke have been left feeling a little hard done by following narrow losses to Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield and Old Trafford respectively.
So, Stoke, who are currently 13th with 15 points, eight behind Arsenal, will be doubly keen on making their home match count. "For the most part Arsenal are an outstanding team, but in recent times we've done very well, especially at the Britannia," said Hughes. "The help we've had from our crowd has been part of that. It's a huge part when you're trying to get positive results.
"I enjoy coming up against them and I know the lads do too. We are performing well at the moment, we just aren't converting our chances when they come along."
Where to Watch Live
The match is set for a 3 pm GMT (8.30 pm IST, 10 am ET) start with live coverage on Star Sports HD1 in India. The action can also be watched via live streaming online in India on StarSports.com. There is no live TV coverage in the UK , but viewers can listen to the match via radio on Absolute Radio. Catch the action in the US on TV on NBC Sports, while the game can also be Live Streamed online on NBC Sports Extra.
Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the match via Live Streaming online courtesy Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can do so via SuperSport online. Australia viewers can live stream the action Fox Sports On Demand, while viewers in Canada can do the same Sportsnet online.
Expected lineups: Stoke City: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; N'Zonzi, Cameron; Ireland, Bojan, Diouf; Crouch.
Arsenal: Martinez; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Ramsey, Cazorla; Sanchez, Giroud, Welbeck.
