Arsenal v Stoke preview

After a difficult few weeks for manager Arsene Wenger, Arsenal will be looking to finish their season on a positive note against Stoke City. Wenger has been criticised by a number of supporters and shareholders after failing to land silverware for a fourth consecutive campaign. Heavy home defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea have heightened the pressure on Wenger, but the Frenchman has insisted this week that he will stay at the club. A creditable draw at United last weekend helped restore some pride and now the Gunners will have revenge on their minds after they were beaten by Stoke in November. Contrary to their opponents the Potters, with Tony Pulis pressure-free, have enjoyed an excellent season after comfortably staving off the threat of relegation. It had been suggested that Sunday's match could be a fixture of friction after the previous meeting was marred by accusations from Wenger of Stoke attempting to harm his players. However, Pulis stressed on Friday that there is no lingering animosity between the duo and praised under-fire coach Wenger. Rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone could be handed a first-team debut for the Gunners, with Manuel Almunia (ankle) definitely out and Lukasz Fabianski (knee) rated as 50-50. Samir Nasri (knee) will also miss out while it remains to be seen if Emmanuel Adebayor, whose future remains uncertain, will return to action. Pulis could call on Henri Camara and Danny Pugh for the final day trip to Arsenal as they look to end the season in the top half of the Premier League table. The Potters won 2-0 at home to Wigan last weekend, and the only alteration to Pulis' match-day squad will be the return of on-loan Camara, who was unable to face his parent club last time out. Pugh is also likely to return after being left out against Wigan, and is expected to play at left-back. Possible starting XIs Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs, Fabregas, Song, Walcott, Arshavin, Bendtner, Van Persie. Stoke: Sorensen, Pugh, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Lawrence, Fuller, Beattie.