As we wait for this game to get into full flow, why not fire a question or two the way of our chief football writer Phil McNulty?

Phil's been at Anfield this afternoon watching Manchester United beat Liverpool, and he's just starting a Q&A on Facebook. Get involved here., external

Lots of 'banter' between both sets of fans. "Wenger, Wenger gives us a wave," is the chant from the home supporters before breaking out into a chorus of boos when the Arsenal manager does not oblige.

Then Gunners fans respond with: "You're only come to see the Arsenal."

Seven minutes of normal time remaining before the interval. Arsenal were 3-0 down at half-time the last time they visited the Britannia.

Image source, PA

BBC Radio 5 Live

Alan Green says he can "not understand" the booing of Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Stoke's Ryan Shawcross was shown a straight red card after breaking the tibia and fibula in Ramsey’s right leg when the two players contested a 50-50 challenge in February 2010. 

Green said: "I can't understand it - it is six years on. The player suffered a serious injury, it was a bad break. Can we not move on? It was just one of those unfortunate things"

Robbie Savage thinks it has come about because Ramsey declined an apology from Ryan Shawcross.

Aaron Ramsey is getting plenty of stick off Stoke's fans at a ground where the Arsenal player suffered a serious injury six years ago.

Anxious moments for Arsenal as Glen Johnson's deflected cross almost reaches Marko Arnautovic but the forward is offside.

Jack Butland has produced two excellent stops to keep out Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Meanwhile, at the other end, Petr Cech is still waiting to make his first serious save.

Image source, Getty Images

This is bubbling nicely.

Stoke counter after an Arsenal corner but a highly promising move breaks down after a terrible pass by Jon Walters.

Then Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stings the fingers of Jack Butland before the Gunners player sees another attempt goal-bound deflect off Laurent Koscielny.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal are just shading possession - 52% to Stoke's 48%. They've also forced the only save of the game. Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud are both looking lively too...Arsene Wenger will be pretty satisfied with what he has seen so far.

Keeping warm with his feet up...

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester midfielder on Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

"What a pass from Joel Campbell to Giroud, it split the defence but the reactions of Butland to come out and spread his body, like Peter Schmeichel used to do."

Image source, AP

Terrific save by Jack Butland as Arsenal come alive in front of the Stoke goal for the first time. Butland comes charging off his line to deny in-form Olivier Giroud after a delicious threaded pass from Joel Campbell.

Moments earlier Stoke went close when Ibrahim Afellay fired narrowly wide from 25 yards.  

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester midfielder on Radio 5 live

"We saw yesterday with Spurs, they had a lot of possession against Sunderland but as soon as they started playing one-touch football they opened up Sunderland and went on to win comfortably. That is what Arsenal need to do."

Image source, Reuters

Olivier Giroud is just outside the Stoke area and crashes to the ground while being challenged by Ryan Shawcross. Referee Craig Pawson is not interested and play continues.

Arsenal have yet to have a shot. They're struggling to keep possession whenever they get within sight of the Stoke penalty area.  The Potters are doing all the early pressing without managing to test Petr Cech.

Image source, Getty Images

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester midfielder on Radio 5 live

"Mark Hughes is out into his technical area and telling his team to get up the pitch. Jon Walters just chased his own flick on, which epitomises the right winger's commitment for Stoke City."

Stoke are doing what they do best...snapping at Arsenal heels and generally making it as uncomfortable as possible for their opponents. 

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First chance of the game and it's from Marko Arnautovic...it's a horrible effort from 25 yards by Stoke's leading Premier League scorer. The less said about that the better.

We're still waiting for the first serious chance. The opening exchanges have seen a sprinkling of niggly fouls by both teams. It's a cup tie atmosphere in front of a Britannia Stadium full house.

Image source, Reuters

Arsene Wenger has just had his customery 'welcome' from Stoke fans. They have not forgiven the Arsenal boss for saying in 2010 that Stoke's tactics were similar to those of a rugby team.