It is quite difficult to talk about this game without mentioning Ramsey and Shawcross, mainly because Ramsey will be starting against him for the first time since the assault. I think it will be good for Ramsey to get this game over and done with, he was developing into an established Arsenal midfielder until that game and he and Arsene will want to get back on that level so as soon as we can put this game

After our fine victory against Manchester United last weekend, the wait until our next fixture has felt like an eternity. So Stoke City is next on the list and even though we have played them already since that horrible night, the fact that we are playing them at their home ground makes me feel a little dirty inside.

Like many Gooners, I have read a few of the Stoke City forums, You Tube and website pages and some of the filth being spewed has made my stomach turn. A section of their support have followed the media’s narrative and now see Stoke City as the victims while bad old Arsenal are the ones who deserve booing and abuse. I can only hope it is a small section because if that is not the case then you have to wonder what kind of mess Staffordshire is in.

It is quite difficult to talk about this game without mentioning Ramsey and Shawcross, mainly because Ramsey will be starting against him for the first time since the assault. I think it will be good for Ramsey to get this game over and done with, he was developing into an established Arsenal midfielder until that game and he and Arsene will want to get back on that level so as soon as we can put this game down to history then he and everyone else can move on, at least until next season when we travel to Staffordshire once again.

As Stoke City have a cup final to prepare for next week, (one that I hope they lose heavily) It will be interesting to see how they approach the game. It is the type of fixture that Manchester United would have loved to have played. Tony Pulis would have instructed his brutes to roll over and have their bellies tickled. Against Arsenal that could well be wishful thinking. Pulis has made his feelings pretty clear about how much he dislikes Arsene Wenger so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Stoke City play a cup final before a cup final.

On the injury front we have two big hitters out of the squad. Samir Nasri has not recovered after his hamstring tweak that he picked up in the first half against Manchester United. Cesc Fabregas is not quite ready for a come back whilst Abou Diaby continues to be plagued with injury.

All that is almost irrelevant though as Thomas Vermaelen is back in the squad and I would guess that he will take his place amongst the substitutes, perhaps nudging the boss for a late appearance in the second half.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

One to watch: Johan Djourou

You are hardly likely to see two sides who contrast in styles as differently as Stoke vs Arsenal. I expect Stoke City to try and take advantage of our weakness this season from set pieces. Without the likes of Diaby and I am guessing Chamakh from the start, we will be lacking in height. Johan Djourou did not defend well enough against Bolton a couple of weeks ago but there is not much doubt that he is one of our stronger players from aerial duels and he will be vitally important to our defending from Delap’s long throws and Pennant’s crosses.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction:

Stoke City 1 Arsenal 1 (Walcott)

Even with Stoke’s most important game of the season coming up, I think they will show plenty of commitment and without the extra spark of Cesc and Nasri I can see this finishing up as a draw. Having said that, if we produce another performance as we did last weekend then we will have enough in the tank to beat this mob. I would hate for the Stoke City fans to have the satisfaction of defeating us so avoiding defeat is important for the supporters. If we want to keep the mathematics on board then only victory will allow us any possibility of a title miracle before the game at Old Trafford.

As long as the players show hard work and play good football then I will be happy.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.