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‘Anybody who goes there is in trouble’

After a run of four wins in five Premier League matches, we have put ourselves firmly back into contention for a top-four place.

But the next task facing us is a sizeable one - to go to Stoke and pick up three points at a ground that we have only won once in eight Premier League fixtures.

Arsene Wenger is expecting a typically-tough encounter at the Bet365 Stadium, but says his team have more than enough quality to prevail.

“Traditionally there is a fierce rivalry and they had always a very direct game against us,” the Arsenal manager said.

“Overall, I must say as well that they have had good teams. Stoke are now regular participants in the Premier League for years, and that means that anybody who goes there is in trouble.

“We have to show character again. We know we have to play to win the games, so let’s keep the focus on the way we want to play and on our team spirit.

“You can see that the team is together, fights and is ready for it and we have to recover now physically and see how everybody is for Saturday and see do I need to make some changes. Does Koscielny come back or not? How bad is Chamberlain? Because if he’s not bad it would be quite welcome because he is fresh.”