Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Arsenal and Stoke City.
Arsene Wenger has come in for fierce criticism in recent months, but the Frenchman takes his side into Sunday's encounter with Stoke having won three games in a row in all competitions.
The Potters make the trip to the Emirates Stadium having failed to defeat Arsenal in North London since 1981, and the Staffordshire outfit are currently seven fixtures without a victory in the top flight.
In August, a goal from Jese Rodriguez earned Stoke a 1-0 triumph at the bet365 Stadium.
12.30pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Arsenal and Stoke City. The Gunners have eyes on Europa League glory, but can Arsene Wenger's side remain focused and add a further dent to Stoke's survival hopes? Let's see who features in each starting lineup...
12.32pmARSENAL XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Mustafi, Monreal; Elneny, Wilshere; Ramsey, Ozil, Welbeck; Aubameyang
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Macey, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Lacazette
12.34pmSTOKE CITY XI: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Bauer, Badou, Allen; Ramadan, Diouf, Shaqiri
STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Haugaard; Ireland, Berahino, Cameron, Crouch, Campbell, Sorensen
12.36pmWell aren't they a couple of interesting lineups...? We'll start with Arsenal as Wenger makes a number of changes to his side, seemingly with the first leg of the club's Europa League quarter-final clash with CSKA Moscow in mind. However, Jack Wilshere finds himself in the team having had to sit out of England's recent friendlies due to a knee injury.
12.38pmPetr Cech is left out between the sticks - presumably without having suffered a knock in training - while Calum Chambers starts in the centre of defence with Laurent Koscielny being left on the bench alongside Sead Kolasinac.
12.40pmIn midfield, Mohamed Elneny starts in place of Granit Xhaka, who is also rested for Thursday night. Aaron Ramsey starts due to missing international duty with Wales, but don't necessarily expect him to play the full 90 minutes given Arsenal's upcoming schedule.
12.42pmDanny Welbeck lines up on one of the flanks with Henrikh Mkhitaryan having to make do with a place among the replacements. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays due to not being able to feature against CSKA, while there is a welcome return to the squad for Alexandre Lacazette after a knee injury.
12.44pmLet's turn our attention to Stoke with Paul Lambert being in a position to bring back Mame Biram Diouf after a shoulder injury. There is also a return for Erik Pieters, who was reportedly disciplined by the Potters after being seen in a nightclub before the club's most recent meeting with Everton.
12.46pmCharlie Adam is suspended after being sent off against the Toffees and according to the Stoke teamsheet, Moritz Bauer - usually a full-back - is being used in the centre of midfield. We'll have to wait and see on that one.
12.48pmIn attack, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting misses out through injury while there is also no Jese Rodriguez. It means that Ramadan Sobhi keeps his place in the side with Xherdan Shaqiri playing in what will probably be in a free role in the final third.
12.50pmKurt Zouma and Kostas Stafylidis are also not involved, and Saido Berahino and Peter Crouch only feature on the bench alongside Geoff Cameron, Stephen Ireland and a couple of youngsters. Lambert is not blessed with a lot of options this afternoon.
12.54pmThose youngsters in question are Tyrese Campbell, who was given his first-team debut against Leicester City earlier this year, and Lasse Sorenson, who is yet to feature in the senior team.
12.56pmAfter yesterday's result, Arsenal hold just a two-point cushion over Burnley, who are in seventh. Things could get interesting if Stoke are able to pull off the upset this afternoon. The Potters will be looking to benefit from a number of their relegation rivals suffering defeat on Saturday, and Lambert's side will move level on points with 17th-placed Crystal Palace with three points at the Emirates Stadium.
12.58pmArsenal have been inconsistent for a number of months, but surprisingly, they have not won back-to-back games in the Premier League since November! After their victory over Watford before the international break, that could change this afternoon.
1.00pmIf Arsenal did suffer defeat, however, it would be their 11th Premier League setback of the campaign, which would equal the most recorded under Wenger in 2005-06.
1.02pmStoke would probably take a draw this afternoon but it has been 14 matches since Arsenal were involved in a stalemate. Seven wins and seven defeats have been recorded since January 10.
1.04pmArsenal have a strong home record this season but Stoke may take confidence from the Gunners conceding more than a goal per game at the Emirates Stadium this season. Seventeen strikes have been shipped in 15 outings. However, only Manchester City have scored more goals on home territory this season, while Stoke have the worst away defensive record in the Premier League.
1.06pmDue to his unavailability in Europe, the start of Aubameyang's Arsenal career has been a bit stop-start, but no-one can argue with a return of three goals and an assist from his first five league games. All but one of those have come in his last 180 minutes of action.
1.08pmWhile the results have not necessarily come for Stoke, Lambert has stressed that he has been delighted with his side's commitment and the Scot reiterated that point earlier this week. Click here to read his quotes.
1.10pmHowever, Stoke's record under Lambert reads seven points from eight matches. Performances have improved, but that is still relegation form.
1.12pmStoke have won just one away game all season and that came all the way back in October when a Darren Fletcher goal secured a 1-0 win over Watford. In total, nine defeats have come in 15 matches.
1.14pmThe Potters are also desperately short of form when playing in London. They have failed to win any of their last 17 Premier League fixtures in the capital.
1.16pmTheir trump card this afternoon could be Peter Crouch, should he be introduced in the second half. The veteran has not scored since November, but the frontman has netted nine goals against Arsenal in the Premier League.
1.18pmPREDICTION! Arsenal have made a number of alterations this afternoon but we still think that the home side will make relatively light work of the Potters. If Arsenal can get an early goal, it could be a stroll in the park. Arsenal to win 3-0.
1.20pmHEAD TO HEAD! Today's meeting represents the 107th competitive fixture between the two clubs, with Arsenal recording 56 wins in comparison to 26 victories for Stoke.
1.22pmStoke have enjoyed regular success against Arsenal in the Potteries but you have to go all the way back to 1981 for the last time that they defeated their hosts in North London. That means that Arsenal are unbeaten in 15 matches at home.
1.24pmEarlier this season, the corresponding fixture ended in a 1-0 win to Stoke thanks to Jese Rodriguez's goal early in the second half. What Stoke would give for lightning to strike twice! If Stoke did pull off what - to a certain extent - feels like the unthinkable, they would complete a league double over Arsenal for the first time since the 1975-76 campaign!
1.26pmIt's time for the two teams to make their way out at the Emirates. Like with recent matches, there are plenty of empty seats but we expect a lively atmosphere. Surely everyone is excited for the return of Premier League football!
1.28pmA reminder of the two teams...
ARSENAL XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Mustafi, Monreal; Elneny, Wilshere; Ramsey, Ozil, Welbeck; Aubameyang
STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Bauer, Badou, Allen; Ramadan, Diouf, Shaqiri
1 minKICKOFF! Arsenal get us underway.
2 minFrom the looks of things, Bauer is playing on the right of midfield with Shaqiri playing in behind Diouf. Stoke have started really brightly here.
4 minSHOT! Stoke are well up for this one. Bauer is causing all kinds of problems down the right and after a sharp move from the visitors, the ball eventually falls to Shaqiri on the edge of the area, with the Swiss curling a shot agonisingly wide of the far post.
6 minI mentioned that there could be a lively atmosphere for this game, but it hasn't turned out to be the case. You could hear a pin drop at the Emirates and it isn't helping the home side.
8 minSlowly but surely, Arsenal are starting to have more possession of the ball but there is still a lack of urgency from the Gunners. The travelling Stoke support are certainly encouraged by this start.
10 minNow it's Stoke's turn to have some of the ball and look confident with it, too. Arsenal are currently struggling to get to grips with Shaqiri's movement in the final third.
12 minGood work from Sobhi leads to Stoke winning a corner on the left. The Potters win a second after the first is cleared at the near post, but the following delivery is equally poor.
14 minAlready, you can feel the tension in the stands. Arsenal are giving possession away really cheaply and are fortunate to survive when Shaqiri is given the space to run at Chambers, who makes a really good challenge on the edge of his own penalty area.
16 minBetter from Arsenal who at least force Stoke into a couple of situations on the edge of the penalty area, but a poor ball from Wilshere leads to a clearance from N'Diaye.
18 minThere's a break in play while Ramsey recovers from being winded by N'Diaye. To N'Diaye's credit, he called on the referee to stop play so that Ramsey had time to recover.
20 minWhat's been so impressive about this start from Stoke is their composure in possession. They are finding a balance between remaining patient and launching attacks which have Arsenal struggling to keep pace with them.
22 minWe are 22 minutes through this match and we are still awaiting the first shot on goal from Arsenal. Butland has had nothing to do.
23 minWOODWORK! Just like that, Arsenal finally create something! Space opens up on the right and after Stoke only partially clear the danger, Ramsey is alert to direct a volley onto the top of the crossbar from close range. Difficult chance.
25 minArsenal are starting to probe in and around the penalty area a lot more now. Stoke are still competitive but they are having to pay more attention to what is coming back from their hosts.
27 minWhat has become noticeable is that Aubameyang has started to drop a little deeper to get involved in play. Up until now, Shawcross and Martins Indi are coping well with the Gabon international.
29 minWilshere has started to come alive in the final third and after turning away from a Stoke player, he tees up Ramsey. However, the Welshman's shot is deflected behind for a corner by Pieters.
31 minSHOT! All of a sudden, Arsenal look full of confidence. Some trickery from Aubameyang leads to Bellerin being set up for a volley on the right-hand side of the penalty area but the right-back blazes his effort over the bar.
33 minStoke have done well to stem the tide to a certain degree. Arsenal are certainly not dominating now but they are starting to make the visitors do more work off the ball.
35 minAlmost an opening for Stoke. Shaqiri gets into the penalty area after beating Wilshere but his dinked delivery is headed away by Mustafi. From the resulting corner, Shawcross heads well over the bar.
37 minBOOKING! The first yellow card of the afternoon goes to Elneny, who is cautioned for hacking down Allen.
39 minStoke should have done much more with this opening. The ball was given away to Allen who should have passed inside to Shaqiri with the Swiss waiting in space. However, the midfielder instead tried to set up Bauer for the cross and Chambers was able to win a goal kick for his team.
41 minAs we approach half time, it is beginning to become end to end. Stoke are trying to play on the counter as Arsenal look to push forward for an opener before the break.
42 minCHANCE! Arsenal win a free kick on the left, which is taken by Ozil. The German finds the head of Chambers, but the defender can only send his effort off target.
44 minCHANCE! Two minutes later, it's a carbon copy as Chambers heads off target from an Ozil free kick. Still, encouragement that he has twice beaten the Stoke backline in the air.
45 minThere will be one minute of added-on time.
45+2 minHALF TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Stoke City
2.18pmThe half-time whistle goes at the Emirates and Arsenal are booed off, which is a bit harsh! Stoke started brightly but the Gunners had the better of the closing stages.
2.22pmStoke may have not won since January 20, but the Potters were superb during the opening quarter of this game. They did not create many opportunities but Shaqiri almost found the net with a 20-yard curler which Ospina was not going to get a hand to.
2.25pmAs for Arsenal, their main opening came through Ramsey, who was alert to react fastest to a loose ball in the penalty area before seeing a volley hit the crossbar and go behind for a goal kick. There have been other half-chances but Butland has not had much to do.
2.30pmBased on that first-half showing, it won't be long before Wenger starts to consider changes. Welbeck has been off the pace so it would not be a surprise to see Mkhitaryan or Lacazette introduced in his place. Arsenal need a spark.
46 minKICKOFF! Stoke get us back underway. No changes for either side.
48 minArsenal are looking to stamp their authority on this game at the start of this second half. That said, Stoke are not shirking away from showing attacking intent. It's refreshing to see from a team at the bottom of the standings.
50 minStoke win a free kick on the right-hand side of the pitch but it's just about dealt with by the Arsenal defence. However, Stoke quickly win another set piece on the opposite side after a foul on Diouf.
52 minIt's another poor delivery with Shaqiri's cross being caught by Ospina. Stoke need to make more from those types of situations.
54 minArsenal and Welbeck show life on the counter-attack with the ball falling to the forward inside of the penalty area but two Stoke defenders manage to see the ball out for a goal kick.
56 minThe home supporters are jeering their side whenever the ball goes backwards, even with it leading to a well-worked attack. However, Stoke are able to deal with an Aubameyang cross from the left.
57 minSHOT! Ozil and Ramsey link up to tee up Welbeck for a volley from around 16 yards out but the forward's effort is scuffed wide of the near post.
59 minCHANCES! Arsenal are getting closer. Elneny thinks that he is about to score from 12 yards, only to see N'Diaye make an excellent block. The ball then falls to Monreal who forces a solid save out of Butland from 20 yards out.
61 minSUBSTITUTIONS! Here come a couple of changes, with Stoke's Berahino replacing Diouf and Lacazette coming on for Welbeck for Arsenal.
63 minThat break in play has led to a bit of a lull in the action. Arsenal have spent the last minute or so on the ball without doing anything with it.
65 minThis is a little bit naughty of Sobhi. The winger saw off the attentions of Lacazette to win a throw-in but then appeared to throw an elbow at the forward. No action from the officials but that could have been perceived differently.
66 minSHOT! Space opens up for Wilshere on the edge of the area but the midfielder's shot is weak and Butland is able to make the easy claim.
66 minBOOKING! Johnson goes into the book for Stoke after a late challenge of Aubameyang.
68 minSHOT! Stoke have improved in the last two minutes but Arsenal survive after Shaqiri's right-foot curler goes straight at Ospina.
69 minWOODWORK! Unbelievable! Shaqiri strikes the inside of the far post with an inswinging corner! Ospina and the Arsenal defence were beaten.
71 minCHANCE! Both teams are really going for this now. Ozil plays in Aubameyang and the forward only has Butland to beat, but the goalkeeper stays big to make the block.
72 minCHANCE! From a corner, Chambers should score from close range after being set up by Monreal's flick-on, but the defender's effort goes straight at Butland. Arsenal are really starting to press.
74 minPENALTY TO ARSENAL! Arsenal win a spot kick after Martins Indi catches Ozil. It's harsh on the defender with Ozil putting his leg back to try to control the ball. There was little intent from the defender.
75 minGOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Stoke City (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
76 minSUBSTITUTIONS! Double change from Arsenal as Xhaka and Mkhitaryan replace Elneny and Wilshere.
78 minArsenal look more likely to net a second than Stoke do to find an equaliser. The goal was harsh on the Potters but they must focus on trying to find a way back into this contest.
80 minSUBSTITUTION! It's time for Crouch, who comes on for Sobhi.
82 minCHANCE! Butland gets lucky here. The goalkeeper misjudges a through-ball and Ramsey takes advantage. However, Butland gets back across to prevent the midfielder's shot finding the empty net.
84 minCHANCE! Back up the other end, N'Diaye has time and space to get a shot away from 20 yards but he curls the ball harmlessly wide of the post.
85 minSAVES! Butland is keeping Stoke in this. The goalkeeper makes a fine block to deny Mkhitaryan from close range before the England stopper tips a shot from Ozil wide of the post.
86 minGOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Stoke City (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
86 minA corner from the right finds Aubameyang close to the penalty spot and the January signing does the rest with a clinical finish into the corner from 12 yards. Game over.
88 minGOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City (Alexandre Lacazette)
88 minArsenal win another penalty after Lacazette is barged over in the box by N'Diaye. However, it's Lacazette - not Aubameyang - to take and the Frenchman slots the ball into the bottom corner.
90 minThere will be three minutes of added-on time.
90+3 minFULL TIME: Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City
3.26pmThe full-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal record what turned out to be a comfortable win over Stoke, who did not deserve to lose by a three-goal scoreline. The penalty changed the game and from there, Arsenal were ruthless.
3.29pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the fixture involving Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
If you would like to our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
