Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early kickoff as Arsenal host Stoke City at the Emirates. Both sides enjoyed success in the FA Cup third round last time out but had contrasting fortunes in the league on New Year's Day, so it will be interesting to see how this one pans out. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Arsenal will be hoping for a much smoother passage through the second half of the season having failed to really get going in the first half of the campaign. The Gunners suffered a glut of injuries to key players, but a number of them are returning or on the verge of returning now, so Arsene Wenger will be confident of making improvements over the coming months. They certainly need to do that as, as things stand, they will not be making the top four.

This weekend could be a really good opportunity to make ground in the race for a Champions League place, though. The Gunners have already seen North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur blow a lead to lose to Crystal Palace yesterday, while third-placed Manchester United take on fourth-placed Southampton later today, meaning that at least one of them will drop points too. Arsenal's inferior goal difference means that they won't end the day in the top four, but they could very well be level on points with the Saints.

Victory today would pile the pressure on both Southampton and United, while also seeing the Gunners climb above Spurs in the table. However, a win is no guarantee against a Stoke side that have been a bit of a bogey team for Arsenal down the years. All of their success has come at the Britannia, it must be said, but they showed in the reverse fixture last month that they are capable of hurting Arsene Wenger's side.

The Gunners currently sit on 33 points in the league, which is their lowest tally after 20 games since the 1994-95 season, when they ended up finishing 12th. It has been enough to keep them in touch with the top four so far, but they can't afford to drop too many more points with the likes of Liverpool, Southampton and Tottenham all showing signs of improvement over the last few weeks. The race for the top four is really hotting up now, and Arsenal need to keep themselves in the thick of it by winning matches like today's.

It is clear to see where Arsenal's main problems lie, and where their strengths are too. Only the league's top two clubs - Chelsea and Manchester City - have scored more goals than the Gunners this season, yet they have not kept a clean sheet in six league matches. Defence has been an area hit especially hard by injuries, with Wenger having to have used 12 different starting back four combinations already this season, but the manager neglected to bring in a new defender during the summer, which has only exacerbated problems.

Of course, they will not be helped by individual errors, and that was the case in their last Premier League outing as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of top-four rivals Southampton. Wojciech Szczesny was at fault for both goals, and it is no real surprise to see the keeper left out in favour of Ospina today. The loss to the Saints could prove to be very costly in terms of their Champions League ambitions, and the most frustrating thing for Wenger will be that it was an avoidable one.

Even so, they returned to winning ways against Hull in the FA Cup last time out, with Alexis Sanchez running the show in what was a repeat of last season's final. That was their fifth consecutive win in all competitions at the Emirates, while only Manchester United have won here in their last 27 Premier League outings, a run that stretches all the way back to the opening day of last season. Arsenal have also scored in every home league match this season, which is a feat only Chelsea and Manchester United can match.

It appears to be a rather daunting task for Stoke, then, but the Potters will arrive in North London full of confidence. They made a bright end to 2014 and have carried that form into the new year so far. Victory this afternoon would lift them into the top half of the table, and if they can finish the campaign there then it would go down as a success for Mark Hughes's side.

Stoke come into this game having not been beaten in any of their last four outings in all competitions, with Chelsea the last time to emerge victorious against Mark HUghes side. That defeat is their only one in their last six Premier League matches, a run that includes taking points off the likes of Manchester United, Everton and, of course, Arsenal.

That win over the Gunners came at the Britannia, but Stoke have already won in North London this season, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at White Hart Lane back in November. Indeed, Stoke have claimed a few major scalps on the road this season, including Manchester City and Everton, so a visit to the Emirates will not worry Hughes too much despite his side's dreadful record here.

The main problem preventing Stoke from really establishing themselves as a top-half team right now is a lack of goals. That clearly wasn't evident when they scored three in the first half against Arsenal, but overall they have only managed 22 in their 20 outings - the lowest tally in the top 12 of the table. Much of their success has come from a sturdy defence, with only Aston Villa having conceded fewer outside the league's top four.

The Gunners will not need reminding that Peter Crouch scored within 20 seconds of the reverse fixture at the Britannia, and quick starts have been a feature of Stoke's play this season. They have scored seven of their 22 league goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches - a tally only Chelsea (8) can better this season. Arsenal don't have a great record when conceding the first goal at home this season, so it would be very interesting if Stoke were to open the scoring today.

Another one of those early goals came in their last league outings, when Ryan Shawcross gave his side a second-minute lead against Manchester United. The Potters eventually came away from that match with a decent point to complete a successful festive period that also saw them beat both Everton and West Brom. Wrexham gave them a scare in the third round of the FA Cup, but three goals in the final 10 minutes ensured that Stoke would not become the biggest shock casualty of the weekend.

Interestingly, Stoke have conceded more goals from set pieces than any other side this season, so that could be an avenue of success for the Gunners. You don't usually associated Arsenal with those types of goals, but they have actually scored seven headers already this season, a tally only West Ham can beat. On the other hand, however, only Burnley have conceded more headed goals than Arsene Wenger's side, so Stoke will also be looking to exploit that with their physical presence.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides and, as I alluded to earlier, the headline news is that Szczesny is dropped to the bench for Arsenal, with Ospina his replacement. There are also recalls for Debuchy, Koscielny, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud, the latter of whom returns from suspension. Stoke, meanwhile, hand a debut to Philipp Wollscheid in defence as one of eight changes to the side that beat Wrexham. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Ospina; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Cazorla, Sanchez; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Bellerin, Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Campbell, Walcott

STOKE STARTING XI: Begovic; Cameron, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Pieters; Nzonzi, Whelan; Arnautovic, Bojan, Walters; Crouch

STOKE SUBS: Butland, Muniesa, Ireland, Wilson, Moses, Adam, Sidwell

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, the obvious place to start for Arsenal is in goal, where Szczesny's recent mistakes and indiscretions see him dropped to the bench in favour of Ospina. Ospina was actually in goal for Arsenal's last match and kept a clean sheet against Hull in the FA Cup, but now is his chance to stake a claim for a regular starting spot in the league.

I have already mentioned how the defence has struggled this season, but it won't have been often that Wenger has been able to name what looks to be his strongest back four. Mertesacker has received his critics this season but looks to be a better player when he has Koscielny alongside him, while Debuchy comes back into the starting lineup in place of Hector Bellerin and Monreal retains his place.

Another player who retains his place is Coquelin following his recent run in the team, and he is likely to be joined in midfield by Rosicky, who impressed as a deep-lying playmaker against QPR on Boxing Day. Cazorla has also been in fine form recently, while Oxlade-Chamberlain has recovered from a knock he sustained in the win over Hull to feature. There are also places on the bench for Ramsey, Ozil and Flamini, all of whom are returning from injury.

The main danger for the hosts today is likely to be Sanchez, though. He has been superb since joining in the summer and reached 16 goals for the campaign with a lovely strike against Hull having put in a man-of-the-match performance. He will be a real handful today and will look to link up once again with Giroud. The striker returns from suspension having stupidly got himself sent off against QPR on Boxing Day.

As for Stoke, Mark Hughes has thrown new loan signing Philipp Wollscheid right in at the deep end this afternoon. The man for Bayer Leverkusen only joined the club this week, but he will partner Shawcross at the back today, replacing Huth in the side. Begovic and Pieters also return at the back, while Cameron is expected to drop into defence having played further forward against Wrexham.

The inclusion of Bojan is a big boost for the visitors, who had been without the talented Spaniard due to a hamstring injury. He is one player who can unlock defences and could prove vital if Stoke are to get anything from this game today. Arnautovic would also fall into the category of a potential match winner, although his end product often leaves a lot to be desired.

Peter Crouch leads the line for Stoke, as expected, and with Diouf now away at the Africa Cup of Nations Crouch has the chance to really establish himself as the number one striker having been in and out of the team at times this season. He loves playing against Arsenal and has scored eight goals against them in his career, which is his joint highest tally against any one club. The most recent of those came after just 19 seconds in the reverse fixture, so the Gunners will be wary of the big man from the off today.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Emirates, which means that it is time for a prediction! Stoke seem to have Arsenal's number at the Britannia, but it is a very different story in North London. The Gunners have been hit and miss this season, but in general they have performed well at home. The visitors aren't likely to make it easy, but I can't see past a home win here. I'll go for 2-1.

Despite their win in this fixture a little over a month ago, it would be a surprise if Stoke were to get anything out of this game. Watch how we assessed their chances on the Sports Mole sofa below:

I have mentioned a few times that Stoke have a terrible record at Arsenal, and you have to go all the way back to 1981 for the last time the Potters avoided defeat here, with Lee Chapman scoring the only goal of the game. They have lost their last 12 visits since then in league and cup, including six out of six in the Premier League. However, they are looking for a third straight league win in this fixture for the first time since 1951.

Mark Hughes himself has a dreadful record when visiting the Gunners. He has taken five different teams to play away to Arsene Wenger's side but has left empty-handed on each occasion, losing all seven of his trips. Can he finally end his own duck, as well as Stoke's today?

The players are out and we're just minute away from kickoff here. This is a huge match for Arsenal in particular as they look to capitalise on Tottenham's slip-up yesterday.

KICKOFF: Arsenal get us underway here at the Emirates, with Giroud and Sanchez kicking the match off. This really is an intriguing prospect as Stoke look to do the double over the Gunners.

SAVE! Almost a dream start for Arsenal! They work the ball down the left and eventually it comes to Sanchez. The Chilean looks to bend an effort into the bottom far corner, but Begovic gets down really well to make a very good save.

This has been a bright start from Arsenal, who were already a goal down at this stage of the reverse fixture. Sanchez is looking ominous in the opening exchanges.

SAVE! Begovic to the rescue again! Cazorla slides the ball to Rosicky, who drives into the area all too easily before drilling an effort towards the bottom corner that the Stoke keeper does brilliantly to save.

Arsenal have the lead, and you have to say that it has been coming even this early in the game! Stoke fail to clear an initial corner and Sanchez is given far too much room to curl a cross into the middle. Koscielny is unmarked as he attacks it, planting his header beyond the keeper.

It has been a really bright start to the game from Arsenal. Only two fine saves from Begovic prevented them from taking the lead even earlier than they managed, and right now they look to be in complete control.

Cazorla has been in excellent form recently, and he is running the show again at the moment. He is finding space in the pocket and pulling the strings with some lovely pieces of play. Stoke can't handle him right now.

There is a lot of concern over Debuchy here as he was given a little nudge by Arnautovic while seeing the ball out. There didn't appear to be much in it, but the players are urgently calling for a stretcher and it looks to be more serious than first feared.

ARSENAL SUB: Indeed, Debuchy is unable to continue as Hector Bellerin replaces the Frenchman, who is still receiving treatment down by the advertising boards.

CLOSE! A quick break from Sanchez see him advance into the Stoke half before finding Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, the England winger fires his effort wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

Debuchy is finally carried away following a lengthy period of treatment off the field. That one looks like it could well be a serious injury, which is a big blow for Arsenal.

Whelan is penalised for a handball, and Sanchez gestures to the ref that it should have been a yellow card too. He has a point, in fairness, but Jonathan Moss calls the Arsenal man across to warn him not to call for bookings.

SAVE! Almost a second for Arsenal, but not for the first time Begovic is there to deny the hosts! Sanchez plays a pass across the edge of the box for Giroud, who meets it with a very nicely controlled first-time effort. Begovic is equal to it, though, making a fine stop.

SHOT! Another decent opening for the hosts, and again it falls to Giroud. He is ruled to be onside, but slices his effort wide of the near post when he probably should have done better.

Shawcross is already the pantomime villain in this fixture, and he does nothing to endear himself to the home fans with a strong challenge on Sanchez. There was perhaps an element of frustration in it, but it was a very good tackle.

A very nervy moment for Ospina, who has had very little to do so far. A cross is deflected and makes it difficult for the keeper, who almost lets the ball slip from his grasp. There are no Stoke players in the immediate vicinity, though, so he just about gets away with it.

CHANCE! Bojan lines up a free kick in a good crossing position, with everyone expecting the ball to arrive in the middle. Instead, the ball is rolled to Whelan, who is completely free on the edge. However, he blazes an effort well over the top.

CHANCE! Almost a big chance for Arsenal to double their lead! A high ball arrives in the box that Begovic comes to claim, only to spill the ball right at the feet of both Mertesacker and Koscielny. They can't react in time, however, and Stoke just about survive.

Giroud has been involved in a really physical battle with the Stoke defence, mainly with Shawcross. He has already raised his hands once to the defender from a corner, and needs to be careful not to lose his head again.

He's done it again! Sanchez pounces on a loose touch from N'Zonzi, exchanging quick passes with Rosicky before advancing into the area. He shifts the ball slightly to his right before squeezing an effort into the near post. Another superb goal from the Chilean, who now has 17 for the season.

That goal will do wonders for Arsenal now. They have a comfortable cushion which can be so crucial against a side like Stoke, who are always in a match when it is 1-0. You have to say that the Gunners deserve the lead too.

Monreal goes down in a heap following an aerial challenge with Crouch, with the full-back clutching his head in pain. It was nothing malicious from the Stoke striker, but he did catch the Arsenal man.

Again, there looks to be more in this one than it initially seemed. Monreal has a cut above his eye and also looks to have a bloodied nose, so is still receiving treatment on the field.

Almost a chance for Stoke as Cameron clips a peach of a delivery around the defence that very nearly falls for Walters before being cut out by Mertesacker.

Lovely play from Oxlade-Chamberlain as he speeds past two players before sliding a pass towards Giroud. Shawcross steps across the striker to ease him out of the way, and the Frenchman takes a tumble and asks for a penalty. The referee is right to wave it away, though.

The injuries to Debuchy and Monreal mean that there will be five minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

SAVE! Crouch does well to nick the ball in front of Koscielny and charge through on goal down the right touchline. He doesn't have the pace to get away from Mertesacker and there is no support either, so he has no other option but to go for goal. It is a rather tame effort in the end, and Ospina makes his first save of the day.

Another hint of a chance for Crouch, but this time it is a lot more difficult. Arnautovic provides a cross from the left flank, but Crouch is beyond the near post and can't steer his header on target under heavy pressure.

SHOT! Another shooting opportunity for Arsenal as Sanchez slides the ball across for Oxlade-Chamberlain. The England man goes for goal from the edge of the area but blazes his effort over the top.

The first half comes to an end, and it is Arsenal who got into the break with a two-goal lead over Stoke City. The hosts are worthy of the advantage at this stage having had by far the better of the opening 45 minutes, with Stoke only managing one shot on target against Ospina on his full league debut.

The opening goal came through a header from Koscielny, who found himself unmarked in the area to nod home. Stoke had initially failed to deal with a corner before Sanchez curled a cross back into the middle. The French defender attacked it well and made no mistake to beat Begovic, who had already made two fine saves before that.

Sanchez got his own name on the scoresheet shortly after the half-hour mark, and it is another moment of magic from the winger. He pounced on a loose ball and played a quick one-two with Rosicky before advancing into the box. He then shifted the ball slightly to his right to move Shawcross and the keeper slightly to the other side before firing a snapshot in at the near post.

The Gunners had two very good chances inside the opening five minutes, but Begovic made a pair of superb saves to deny the hosts. Sanchez was the first to test the keeper with a curling effort towards the bottom corner, while Rosicky was denied immediately before the opening goal with an even better stop.

Begovic also needed to be alert to deny Giroud later in the half, although this time the ball arrived at a decent height for the keeper. Even so, it was still a very good stop to halt the French striker's first-time effort from the edge of the box which was destined for the corner.

Stoke's chances have been very limited so far, with perhaps the best one falling to Whelan. Bojan caught the Arsenal defence out with a short free kick to the edge of the box when everyone was expecting a delivery into the middle, but Whelan blazed his shot well over the bar. Crouch has had the visitors' only shot of target, but it was a tame effort and easy for Ospina.

The only down side to the first half for Arsenal was an injury to Debuchy. It looked like a fairly innocuous incident initially as Arnautovic gave the full-back a little shove on his way behind, but Debuchy appeared to land heavily and we understand that he has picked up a shoulder injury. It looks like a serious one, which is a big blow for the Gunners.

KICKOFF: Stoke get us back underway for the second half, and the visitors have made two changes at the break. Steve Sidwell and Marc Muniesa come on in place of N'Zonzi and Pieters.

Arsenal have started this second half well too and have a chance to grab another early goal here as Sidwell fouls Oxlade-Chamberlain right on the edge of the area...

It's not the best goal he has scored this season, but Sanchez doubles his personal tally for the afternoon. He mis-hits his free kick, but it somehow makes it through the middle of the wall before squirming over the line. Begovic probably should have done better with it too, but he just couldn't claw it away.

Surely that is game over now? Stoke have not looked like scoring yet this afternoon, so to come back from three goals down is a huge ask. They did score three times in one half in the reverse fixture, though.

YELLOW CARD! Wollscheid is the first name in the book on his debut courtesy of a tug on Giroud. The home fans greet the caution with ironic cheers.

Arsenal are looking capable of getting even more here. They have played very well all over the field today, with the attack looking dangerous and the defence sturdy.

Stoke just can't get into this match at all right now. Arsenal are in complete control and preventing the visitors from getting any sort of momentum going.

The visitors have failed to put any pressure on debutant goalkeeper Ospina so far, which will be really disappointing for Hughes. He is not the biggest keeper, and Stoke should have done more from set pieces to ask questions of him.

SAVE! Arnautovic looks to test the keeper with a free kick from range, but his effort is always curling wide. Ospina looked to have it covered even if it was on target.

Wenger is in the privileged position of being able to rest a couple of players in this final half an hour now. This game looks to be won already and, with the likes of Ozil and Ramsey needing some match time, it could be the perfect time to bring them in.

YELLOW CARD! Cameron goes into the book for a foul on Sanchez that Moss had initially played advantage for before showing the card retrospectively.

CLOSE! Oxlade-Chamberlain loses the ball in a dangerous area following a difficult pass from Mertesacker, and Muniesa looks to take advantage with a low delivery into the middle. Crouch gets a tow to it, but pokes it wide of the near post.

YELLOW CARD! Crouch becomes the third Stoke player in the book for a sliding challenge on Coquelin.

Lovely football from Arsenal on the edge of the box as they knock a few short passes about, probing for a way through. Oxlade-Chamberlain eventually tries a shot that is blocked and loops into the arms of Begovic.

More scintillating play from Sanchez as he drives in from the left flank, shaking off a tackle before sliding the ball down the left for Giroud. The striker sees his effort deflected wide for a corner, though.

OFF THE BAR! More magnificent play from Arsenal. Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain exchange passes on the edge of the box, with the former racing through on goal. He tries to lift the ball over the keeper from a tight angle, but his cheeky effort hits the top of the bar.

ARSENAL SUB: A second change of the afternoon for Arsenal as Oxlade-Chamberlain departs to be replaced by Theo Walcott.

Stoke get into one of their best positions of the match so far, passing the ball about on the edge of the area, but the good platform comes to nothing as a cross is sent straight into the arms of the keeper. Disappointing once again from the visitors.

STOKE SUB: Stoke make their third and final change of the match as Bojan makes way to be replaced by Stephen Ireland.

ARSENAL SUB: Arsenal also make their final change of the game, and it is a long-awaiting return for Mesut Ozil as he replaces Giroud after three months out through injury.

It is a bit of a surprise that Sanchez wasn't taken off there having also played during the FA Cup win last weekend. However, the Chilean always wants to be on the field and is looking for a hat-trick now.

SHOT! He looks to get that hat-trick in style here by spotting Begovic off his line and floating a 30-yard effort goalwards. However, his effort lands on the roof of the net.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Stoke have the ball in the back of the net, but it won't count! The ball was floated into the area and Crouch's flick-on means that Cameron is offside. The defender squeezes it over Ospina, who can't keep it out despite getting something on the shot, but the clean sheet remains intact thanks to the linesman's flag.

There have just been a couple of signs of carelessness creeping into Arsenal's game, through Mertesacker in particular. They will be very annoyed if they don't keep a clean sheet here, so they can't allow that to happen many more times.

CHANCE! A huge chance for Walcott to make it four! Sanchez breaks free in a two-on-one situation but, instead of going alone, he slides Walcott in. He only has the keeper to beat, but he drags a terrible effort well wide. He missed a golden chance against Hull last weekend too, so that rustiness still appears to be troubling him following his lengthy injury layoff.

Walcott said after the Hull game that he wasn't worried about his missed chances as he knows that will come back to him, but that really was a great opportunity. He had developed into a adept finisher before his injury and will be disappointed with such a poor effort then.

You get the feeling that both teams would be happy with the final whistle being blown now. Arsenal are enjoying themselves out there but are very much in second gear at the moment, cruising towards an inevitable three points.

Sanchez is still chasing down every ball as if it were the first minute and the scores are level. His hunger is brilliant to see, and he is desperate for a third goal to cap off another magnificent performance.

Ozil races on to a through-ball and has a sight of goal, but he can't get his foot around the ball enough and fires the effort wide of the near post.

CHANCE! Probably Stoke's best chance of the match falls to Ireland, who tries to pass an effort into the bottom corner. However, Ospina gets down well to make a rare save and maintain his clean sheet for now at least.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this match.

The referee finally puts Stoke out of their misery as Arsenal run out comfortable 3-0 winners here at the Emirates. That brings them level on points with the top four and above Spurs in the table, while Stoke's four-match winless streak comes to an end.

It was Laurent Koscielny who got the opening goal with a free header inside the box, while Sanchez doubled the advantage shortly after the half-hour mark when he squeezed an effort past Begovic at the near post. The third goal also came from Sanchez, although there is a question over whether it will go down as a Begovic own goal. The ball squirmed over the line following a deflected free kick, with Begovic unable to claw it away.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what turned out to be a comfortable victory for Arsenal as they leapfrog Spurs into fifth with a 3-0 win. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!