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5 Bold Predictions for Arsenal vs. Stoke City in EPL Week 21

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Bold Predictions for Arsenal vs. Stoke City

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes
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Stoke City sit in relative comfort in mid-table of the EPL, but that comfort will be challenged by Arsenal this weekend. The Gunners have a fight on their hands to finish in the top four positions and a win over Stoke at the Emirates Stadium is a must have. The Potters have enjoyed ruffling the Arsenal feathers over the years and no doubt Mark Hughes and his team will be looking to do so again. Here are five bold predictions for the game.

5. Bojan Krkic Shines for Stoke

Bojan Krkic playing for Stoke City
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5. Bojan Krkic Shines for Stoke

Bojan Krkic playing for Stoke City
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Bojan Krkic has finally begun to show glimpses of his true potential in the last six weeks or so, after failing to perform as many had expected him to in the opening months of the season. Something has clicked with the Spaniard recently, and with Arsenal's complete absence of a genuine defensive midfielder, expect Krkic to exploit that area of the field with great success.

4. Danny Welbeck Back on the Goal Trail

Danny Welbeck playing for Arsenal
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4. Danny Welbeck Back on the Goal Trail

Danny Welbeck playing for Arsenal
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Danny Welbeck has mustered just one goal from his last six EPL games. However, that goal came against West Ham after the Englishman was restored to a central striker position. Welbeck had previously been forced to play in a wide area after Olivier Giroud returned from injury, but will now blossom once again as a central striker in Giroud's absence due to suspension.

3. Stoke Will Score From A Set-Piece

Stoke City players celebrating scoring a goal
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3. Stoke Will Score From A Set-Piece

Stoke City players celebrating scoring a goal
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Stoke are always dangerous from any set-piece in and around the opposition's 18-yard box, and Arsenal are woeful at defending any set-piece situation. Clearly, a Stoke goal from a set-piece is on the cards in this game. Mark Hughes will be well aware of Arsenal's fragility in defense, and the Potters will be going all guns blazing when they have corners and free kicks around the Gunners' penalty box.

2. Alexis Sanchez Man of the Match

Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez
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2. Alexis Sanchez Man of the Match

Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez
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Alexis Sanchez is the man of the moment for Arsenal and, quite frankly, just where the Gunners would be without the Chilean is anybody's guess. The Arsenal team is completely unbalanced and incapable of defending, but the flaws are not yet big enough to outdo Sanchez' brilliance. The winger will come through big once again with a man of the match display against the Potters.

1. 2-2 Draw

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
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1. 2-2 Draw

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
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You can never be sure what you will get with Arsenal. It could be the swashbuckling artists who dazzle you with their pretty passing, or it could just as easily be the soft centered, timid team of strangers that often show up. Either way, the Gunners are weak where Stoke are strong, and though there should be goals at both ends, a 2-2 draw will be the final conclusion.

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