Stoke City v Arsenal, Saturday 28th April 2012 @ 15:00

[Cripps_orig]

Stoke v Arsenal

Arsenal really need to kick on in the chase for the Champions League spot, especially because only third place will get them in if Chelsea win this year's final. The Blues beating Barcelona has certainly spiced up the end of the season for Arsene Wenger's side and the teams immediately below them.
The Gunners had a firm grasp on third not so long ago but they have hit the buffers a little bit in recent weeks, and dropping points at home against Wigan and Chelsea means they really need to return to winning ways here.
I'm not sure they will manage it at the Britannia Stadium because Stoke always seem to give them a good game there - Arsenal have lost on three of their last four visits.
On the positive side for Wenger, Robin van Persie was deservedly crowned the Professional Footballers' Association's Player of the Year and Footballer Writers' Association Footballer of the Year this week. He has not only had a brilliant season, he has completely resurrected their campaign
It's not just the goals on their own, it is the quality of them - and the fact he can make them for others too. He has also steered clear of injuries, which is something he has struggled with in the past.
Van Persie's contract runs out in the summer of 2013 of course and, if they want him to sign a new deal, they will have to give him a fortune - which will make a difference to what they have to pay everyone else.
It is a big decision but, if they let him leave, they are going to have to replace him and probably spend a lot of money in the process. Will whoever they buy be as good as Van Persie has been this season? Absolutely no chance. I think Wenger has to bite the bullet and give him the dough.
Prediction: 1-1

Lawro being optimistic about us again

[Marc Overmars]

There's no chance in hell we're winning this.

We're going to have a holocaust.

[GP]

Not this time.

Straighforward win.

0-3

[Syn]

Woke up feeling very optimistic today. That prediction I made earlier that one of ours will snap and slice off one of their legs...I am now certain that'll happen. Unfortunately I think it'll be Van Persie, but it's worth it.

We won't get 3 points, but who cares about that. Concede the battle but win the war. VITA.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

yossi and rosicky back which is crucial.

think we'll probs draw but still hoping for a win

come on u gunners

[Olivier's xmas twist]

There's no chance in hell we're winning this.

We're going to have a holocaust.

So's your face

[Coney]

There's no chance in hell we're winning this.

We're going to have a holocaust.

Benny is playing then?

[Niall_Quinn]

Woke up feeling very optimistic today. That prediction I made earlier that one of ours will snap and slice off one of their legs...I am now certain that'll happen. Unfortunately I think it'll be Van Persie, but it's worth it.

We won't get 3 points, but who cares about that. Concede the battle but win the war. VITA.

We will get 3 points. Pulis will tell his thugs to do what they do best but for some weird reason the ref will play fair today. When I saw Dean properly referring the match last week I figured the FA is now happy the title has come down to their two pet projects and everyone else will be left to get on with it. Plus RvP will be back on form today and not just with the leg slicing but also with goals. Theo will be missed because the thugs won't need to put two farmers on him to plough him into the pitch so these Neanderthals will be at liberty to roam, but we'll still stuff them.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Arsenal team to face Stoke: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Gervinho, Van Persie, Benayoun.

Arsenal substitutes: Fabianski, Diaby, Santos, Chamakh, Squillaci, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin.

[Niall_Quinn]

Would have preferred to see Coquelin in there instead of Ramsey. Sagna, Kos, TV, Song, Rosicky, RvP, all capable of standing up to the thugs. So Gervais and Yossi need to dive a lot.