Stoke manager Tony Pulis expects a "special atmosphere'' at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday when the club host Arsenal in their first home game of the season.

Recent clashes with the Gunners have acquired an edge with the last meeting between the sides in the Potteries in April marred by home fans' booing of visiting midfielder Aaron Ramsey and manager Arsene Wenger.

The animosity dates back to an incident two-and-a-half years ago when Ramsey's leg was badly broken in a tackle from Stoke's Ryan Shawcross, who has since been booed by Arsenal fans.

Ahead of the latest clash, Pulis has highlighted the positives for which Stoke fans have become renowned and hopes they can again prove an important factor in his side's season.

Pulis, speaking at his preview press conference, said: "It's always a special atmosphere for these games. They always look forward to this game. There are five or six really big games in a season and this is right up there with them.

"It is important we maintain that atmosphere that is so special when they get going. People talk about it but it is true. It is a massive help to us as a football team. Without them I don't think we would have achieved what we have achieved.''

Tony Pulis has no fresh injury concerns ahead of their Barclays Premier League match against Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

But Dean Whitehead is serving a one-match ban after he was dismissed in last weekend's opening league game at Reading.

American summer signing Geoff Cameron is available and should begin training with his new side after he was cleared to enter the country on Thursday.

Jermaine Pennant could return to the squad after recovering from the thigh injury which kept him out from the game against the Royals.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal will only move for a "special player'' in the closing days of the transfer window.

The Gunners sold former captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United and last week saw defensive midfielder Alex Song move to Barcelona, bringing in the best part of £40million.

Wenger is expected to add some more fresh faces after the summer arrivals of Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla, who impressed on his debut, German striker Lukas Podolski and France forward Olivier Giroud.

A season-long loan deal for Real Madrid's Turkey international Nuri Sahin is "not alive'', according to the Arsenal manager, who has also been linked with Sevilla winger Jesus Navas and Rennes' £17million-rated midfielder Yann M'Vila.

However, Wenger insists if the club move again in the market, it will have to be for the right man.

"We will only take players who have something special,'' said the Arsenal manager.

"We are still in the market in some positions, but overall we believe we have a very strong squad.

"We have a good mixture because we have experienced players in midfield like [Mikel] Arteta and [Santi] Cazorla, like [Tomas] Rosicky, and some young very promising players like [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain, [Aaron] Ramsey, [Francis] Coquelin, [Jack] Wilshere and one or two in between age wise like [Abou] Diaby, who is coming back. We believe we have a good mixture.''

Arsenal will assess goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has a minor rib problem, ahead of Sunday's trip to Stoke.

England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle) is fit again, along with reserve keeper Lukasz Fabianski (back).

However, defender Laurent Koscielny (calf) will again miss out, along with Tomas Rosicky (hamstring). Midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury as does defender Bacary Sagna (broken leg).



http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=345817&cc=3888

I can bet my right thumb on Arsenal getting a whipping.

Brand_new: I can bet my right thumb on Arsenal getting a whipping.

I have the same feeling too :-)

Brand_new: I can bet my right thumb on Arsenal getting a whipping.

hey fool will you shut up

gervinho to score one, cazorla to add another,podolski to complete it 3 nil

Brand_new: I can bet my right thumb on Arsenal getting a whipping.

that's so unlikely. Arsenal will have the 3 points at the end of the game

Stoke has always been a spoiler...spoiling BIG clubs show...anything can happen..I want to give it to Arsenal but I foresee a draw..cheers!!

stock 2 and arsenal 0

Stoke would be taken to the cleaners. Stoke City 1 Arsenal 4-final score.

ebamma: gervinho to score one, cazorla to add another,podolski to complete it 3 nil

Will three goal be enough ?why not eight

A Good match to watch

Stoke1 Vs 0Arsenal. Gunners should buy good player, because they have sold they good player out, if they want 2 carry any trophy this season. Goodluck gunner, but am chelsea fun...

sweet arsenal to scatter stoke by 3:1

Ukeme453: Stoke1 Vs 0Arsenal. Gunners should buy good player, because they have sold they good player out, [b]if they want 2 carry any trophy [/b]this season. Goodluck gunner, but am chelsea fun...

Saying that makes it look like Arsenal is known for trophies, no one associates that club with trophies. What you should have said is "........if they want to qualify for UCL"

It's a good game on rather either be on both to score yes, and/or stoke to win by a margin of one goal. Both
to score is priced good, and has come in each time Arsenal've played at the Brittania.

The only doubt is the difficulties arsenal are having offensively, and whether or not a tough resolute stoke
side are the sort of side they would want to be facing right now.

Ukeme453: Stoke1 Vs 0Arsenal. Gunners should buy good player, because they have sold they good player out, if they want 2 carry any trophy this season. Goodluck gunner, but am chelsea fun...

gbagaunnnnnn WRONG ENGLISH

Arsenal Football Club vs Stoke City RUGBY club. A game of two styles.

starting line up Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud

ebamma: hey fool will you shut up

Where is your spirit of spotsmanship? What a shame

mannone

giroud and poldi starts

4-3-3 for le arse

ebamma: gervinho to score one, cazorla to add another,podolski to complete it 3 nil

you wish'

see babajebu with his coat

Hahahahaha Manonne for post

mukina2: 4-3-3 for le arse

muki !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

game on!!!

fredookovitcchhh!!!!!

freekick arsenal

fredoooooo: see babajebu with his coat

Arsenal go chop goals today

mukina2: fredookovitcchhh!!!!!

Muki our captain score yesterday make we celebrate na

gervinho and his useless dribble attimes , 1 -2 with diaby solve that problem there