Stoke Shaw to be in for Tough Afternoon

Ryan Shawcross leads Stoke to the Emirates this weekend for the first time since his challenge on Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey which left the Welshman with a broken leg last February.

Arsene Wenger has been a constant critic of both Stoke and Shawcross in particular but Stoke boss Tony Pulis says his defender has nothing to be ashamed of:  "I've seen the challenge over and over again, and I am convinced he didn't go in with any malice. In fact, 99.9 per cent of people who've seen that challenge would say he's gone in fair and square. He made an honest, committed challenge and has nothing to be worried or ashamed about.

We are very, very proud of Ryan at Stoke because he's been a big part of what we've tried to build here over the last four or five years. Personally, I don't give a damn what anybody else thinks. Our supporters love him and that's all that matters to me. He's very, very happy here and we will look after him,” he added.

There is certainly no love-loss between both managers with Stoke shocking Wenger’s men twice in the last two seasons with a Premier League victory and an FA Cup scalp against the Gunners. The way Stoke have gone about their business against Arsenal and roughed up their fluid passing game has angered Wenger but as he looks to end a barren spell of five-and-a half years without silverware, he has called on the home fans to show the Potters some respect: "What happened in the past, happened in the past. I don't think there's any need to add fuel on it, and just focus on playing as we do and respect our opponents."

Having lost top spot to Manchester United following their 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, Arsenal has an early chance to return to the Premier League summit on Saturday.

With United not playing Chelsea until Sunday, victory for the Gunners against Stoke would put them a point clear at the top of the table. That would be the perfect tonic after a disappointing display against their title rivals on Monday night.

The Potters will be hoping to gain their first point at the Emirates in two attempts. Having seen Manchester United nullify Arsenal with a 4-5-1 line-up earlier this week, Pulis could consider leaving out Kenwyne Jones or Ricardo Fuller to accommodate another body in midfield.

Stoke have reason to believe they can upset the odds on Saturday after already seeing Arsenal beaten at home by newly-promoted West Brom and Newcastle. They have also needed late goals against West Ham and Fulham to secure wins. The Potters will need to make more of their chances though should they get anything from the game. Last week, Stoke failed to capitalise on numerous attempts at goal before succumbing to a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Blackpool.

And all eyes will be on the woodwork tomorrow as Stoke (12) and Arsenal (11) have struck bars and posts more than any other Premier League team this season.

On their day, the Gunners can be unplayable with their stylish football and impressive passing and movement but Stoke provide a tougher physical test for the home side and will look to break up the play whenever possible.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is still struggling with a hip injury so young Pole Wojciech Szczesny could continue in goal after an impressive display against Manchester United, while striker Nicklas Bendtner may not be involved as his partner is about to give birth to their first child.

Wenger will be boosted however by the availability of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie who confirmed their return to fitness with second half appearances at Old Trafford. Abou Diaby is also back in training after an ankle injury but is unlikely to figure too early ahead of a busy festive period.

Stoke forward Jon Walters faces a late fitness test having missed training this week with flu and this is the only new injury worry to contend with for Tony Pulis after last week's loss to Blackpool.

DJ Decks Stoke

DJ Campbell scored the only goal of the game as Blackpool took yet another step to safety against a Stoke side previously unbeaten in their last five outings.

The game had been dubbed the ‘Stanley Matthews derby’ and marked a day of celebration to remember the great that Pele once described as “the man that taught the world to play football.”

Forget kiss-me-quick hats, stag does and the pleasure beach – Blackpool has a new attraction – the endeavour and never-say-die attitude of the team with the smallest budget in the league. Ian Holloway has masterminded a fearless approach which not only entertains but reaps rewards. Just like a bed and breakfast this time of year, the Seasiders have no vacancies in their squad either for passengers.

Despite only a 1-0 scoreline, both sides created a number of chances that could have seen a repeat of last years score in the third round of the Carling Cup which ended 4-3 to the Potters. DJ Campbell’s predatory strike secured the visitors fourth away of the season and despite Stoke having 19 attempts at goal, a dubious disallowed goal and three attempts off the woodwork, Blackpool’s slick passing game and ability to keep the ball so well in the middle of the field helped them secure another famous win.

Skipper Charlie Adam was influential for the visitors and showed why clubs are starting to sniff around for his services as we head into the January transfer window. Before the game, Stoke boss Tony Pulis had highlighted this game as one of his side’s toughest tests as his good friend Holloway brought his organised team to the Potteries attempting to emulate the achievements of Stoke and establish themselves in the Premier League whilst everyone around them has written them off.

Blackpool started the game very sluggishly considering they haven’t played for two weeks following their weather-enforced lay-off and Stoke’s forward line of Kenywne Jones and Ricardo Fuller caused early nervous moments for the visitors.

The two combined to fashion Stoke's first shot on goal as Jones cushioned down Rory Delap's long cross only to see his strike-partner's fierce half-volley blocked by Craig Cathcart.

Jones continued to threaten - with a header and scuffing a shot wide - and was left exasperated as Etherington failed to pick him out on a swift counter-attack.

Blackpool struggled to muster such attacking threat, but came closest to opening the scoring as Andy Wilkinson's last-ditch intervention proved just enough to deny Luke Varney before Campbell hooked a volley wide.

Neil Eardley's long-range shot, which endangered the top tier of the stand rather than Stoke's net, was more representative of their early efforts however as they struggled to secure the possession to feed their passing game.

But a tight offside decision went against the visitors as Campbell bore down on Asmir Begovic's goal from Varney's through-ball leaving the game evenly balanced at the interval.

It took Campbell just three minutes into the second half to give his side the lead. Luke Varney’s cutback was missed by Adam but Campbell, a key figure in Blackpool's promotion from the Championship, flicked out a foot ahead of Robert Huth to divert past Begovic.

Stoke fans know only too well that their side save their best till last with 17 of their 21 league goals coming in the second half. The crowd raised the volume hoping for a response and an equaliser to maintain their good run but their efforts were in vain as the visitors refused to be penned back.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher came close to doubling Blackpool’s advantage with a powerful far-post header which rattled the cross bar after excellent work from Adam to work the ball into the Stoke box.

Pulis began to search for a ‘Plan B’ with the game entering the final stages, bringing on Jon Walters and Tuncay, to try and regain the momentum and the changes seemed justified as Blackpool were immediately forced onto the back foot with an Etherington free-kick and Huth header causing problems in the Blackpool box.

The visitors however managed to hold on and unlike at the Reebok in their last outing, refused to loosen their grip on the three points. The result is a huge three points for newly promoted Blackpool and yet again proves this league is the most open and unpredictable Premier League for some time.

Stoke want more Wigan Woes

Match of the Day’s editorial team may already have this fixture at the DW stadium pencilled in for the last slot before the credits role, but two men that won’t care are Roberto Martinez and Tony Pulis.

While there are murmurs of European football in some quarters of the Potteries, Pulis has been quick to quash talk of Europe and is still focused solely on Premier League survival despite his side's surge into the top half of the table: "I've always said that it was a three-year plan coming into the Premier League.  If we maintain Premier League status for a third year, then we can really push on," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

The Potters head to Lancashire unbeaten in four games and eighth in the table and will be buoyed by last weekend’s last-gasp equaliser over Manchester City despite having dominated the whole first half.

Having ran out 3-0 winners at West Brom in their last game away from the Britannia, Stoke have every reason to be optimistic especially against a depleted Wigan side who have only found the net 11 times this season – the lowest in the Premier League. The Latics have lost the last two league games, both away from the DW however and were dumped out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal on Tuesday.

But as Roberto Martinez may have thought things couldn’t get any worse with his side languishing in the bottom three, striker Victor Moses could be out for up to three months after dislocating his shoulder during their defeat at Arsenal.

The striker landed awkwardly as he challenged Emmanuel Eboue and Theo Walcott for the ball and was expected to be out for four to six weeks. But further tests have shown he is likely to be sidelined until spring. Latics boss Martinez said: "It is a real blow. He has worked hard to earn his place in the side.

We have to prepare for a massive game on Saturday against Stoke and look for consistency in our league form," he added.

The last two meetings between the sides at Wigan have both ended all square. Last season saw Stoke’s Tuncay grab a deserved late equaliser after Paul Scharner had opening the scoring after just 14 minutes.

Saturday’s encounter will no doubt be a nip-and-tuck affair but history shows this fixture can provide goals. Nine years ago on a cold November night in Lancashire these two sides were battling for promotion back to the Old Division 1 when the Latics ran out emphatic 6-1 winners in front of just 7,000 fans.

And more recently in the reverse fixture last season at the Britannia in front of the Sky Sports cameras Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa scored from his own half in an end-to-end clash with finished 2-2.

Only Blackpool have a worse home record than Wigan this season but one stat that the home side will be keen to continue is that the Potters have not won a single game during December in the last two seasons in the top flight.

Wigan has problems up front ahead of the game with Hugo Rodallega suspended and Victor Moses out for a lengthy spell. In addition, Franco di Santo is rated 50-50, although Mauro Boselli should shake off a knee problem.

The visitors will be without midfielder Marc Wilson, who is serving a one-match ban while the in-form winger Jermaine Pennant is an early doubt. Pennant has a hamstring problem while defender Andy Wilkinson is struggling with his knee - both will have late fitness tests.