Andrey Arshavin, William Gallas and Abou Diaby, all three players would have almost certainly been picked will not be taking part this afternoon but the strength of our squad has seen us cope with all these issues time and time again

Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are hurtling around the bend with the home stretch in sight, the Gunners are slightly behind the big expensive horses but Arsenal have the advantage of the inside lane which should make for an easier finish. Stoke City will be the next hurdle for the Gunners. A hurdle that Arsenal have fallen twice in the last two years, this time the importance has cranked up, the margin for error is ever so slender.

It could be a clash of football styles tomorrow, the traditional English side. Direct, big and powerful team. They look like a team of the late eighties. Cross balls, win headers, tackle hard, hold the ball up. What you see is what you get from Stoke. To be fair, they are using Matthew Etherington very well and Turkish International Tuncay has started making an impact for them.

Man for man we are the better team and I think I can say that for our remaining eleven games without having to think much about it but football is not as cut and dried as that. The attitude, the form, the desire and the mental toughness will all be needed if the team is to succeed.

A victory at Stoke could well be what this team need to believe that they can win the remainder of the games. Like with everything Arsenal, it will have to be done the hard way as Wenger continues to have key players out with injury. This isn’t a new problem that the squad have had to deal with but it certainly makes a tricky challenge even more difficult.

Andrey Arshavin, William Gallas and Abou Diaby, all three players would have almost certainly been picked will not be taking part this afternoon but the strength of our squad has seen us cope with all these issues time and time again.

The team practically picks itself at this moment in time but Arsene will have to make an important call. Arsene will have to choose two from man of the match performer in the last game, Emmanuel Eboue. Dependable and fresh right back Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott, the speedy winger who could be on an upward improving curve after injury.

I believe that Sagna will start at right back, Arsene will want to have his strongest defence on the pitch and then build from that platform, Sagna is fresh and is defensively stronger than Eboue which will be important especially away from home. Wenger can choose from wither Walcott or Eboue on the right of attack and as Eboue is in top form and gives a better physical presence, I will plump for him.

Stoke played 120 minutes against Manchester City in midweek and the last thing they would want is a fresh Walcott jogging onto the pitch in the last 20 minutes of the game, so that could also be in Arsene’s thinking.

I think Denilson will be selected ahead of Ramsey for his defensive capabilities and it gives the young Brazilian a chance to continue from his improved performance in Porto.

One to watch: Nicklas Bendtner

Bendtner is going to be important at both ends of the pitch, especially with the absence of Abou Diaby who would have been my one to watch this afternoon.

Bendtner’s goal against Sunderland will hopefully be the first of many during the run to the end of the season. I want to see Bendtner dominating his markers today, getting into dangerous positions and getting on the end of through passes and crosses.

With Delap’s throws hurtling towards our goalkeeper, Bendtner’s power in the air should be protection for Campbell and Vermaelen.

I want the big Dane to get a brace today along with a technical and powerful performance. He has the self belief and hopefully he can translate that to on the pitch.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Stoke City are in good form, they have just beaten Manchester City 3-1 and must be full of confidence but we are not facing Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United. We are 21 points ahead of Stoke for a reason and we need to demonstrate that on the pitch.

We have had a full 7 days rest, no excuses, no regrets.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

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