Welcome to live text commentary of Arsenal's Premier League encounter with Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have scored 14 in their last four home games - they are a serious danger going forward. But Stoke's defence is one of the tightest in the league at present.

Oxlade-Chamberlain with the first shot of the game, a hit from over 20 yards under no pressure. He's missed the target, and probably had enough time to do a little better.

Stoke have not won at Arsenal in the Premier League era. Their last away league win against the Gunners came in a 1-0 victory at Highbury in August 1981. Lee Chapman scored the only goal. Arsenal have won all 4 home PL matches against the Potters and the last 7 in home league meetings. (Infostrada)

Referee Chris Foy blows his whistle, and Stoke get us underway.

Okay, we're all set for kick off at the Emirates, and Stoke are 8/1 to win and 7/2 to earn a point. Sounds about right given their record away from home.

The Potters have won just one of their last 21 Premier League away games, but they will be keen to pick up something this afternoon. 10 points lie between Pulis's side and the bottom three.

The Emirates has witnessed more goals than any other Premier League stadium this season (50), so we should prepare ourselves for more this afternoon. Tony Pulis has opted for Peter Crouch, with Kenwyne Jones confined to the bench, alongside Michael Owen, of course.

OPTA STAT: Arsenal have won five and lost just one of their last eight Premier League games against Stoke (drawn two), with four of those wins coming at the four meetings they have had at Emirates Stadium.

You can follow all the latest from across the Premier League games this afternoon, and indeed the world of sport, by following the official Eurosport Twitter account -

Olivier Giroud is one of the in-form strikers in the top flight, having bagged five goals in three games in all competitions - he is 7/2 to score the opener against Stoke.

The teams are in - Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Diaby, Arteta, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Giroud. Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Santos, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski. /// Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Walters, Cameron, Nzonzi, Whelan, Etherington; Crouch. Subs: Sorensen, Jones, Owen, Adam, Whitehead, Kightly, Jerome

The early team news for Arsenal is that new-signing Nacho Monreal starts as one of five changes to the team that drew with Liverpool on Wednesday. We will have the full starting line-ups with you very shortly.