That free-kick is just about cleared by the Potters defence. It's whipped in by Aaron Ramsey and almost drops for Laurent Koscielny.

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There's a terrific noise inside the Britannia. Arsenal, in their change strip, are forced to do some early defending before Theo Walcott breaks and wins a free-kick after being fouled by Philipp Wollscheid.

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Arsenal start this third in the table but will go two points clear at the top with 16 games remaining if they can end their poor record at the Britannia and win. 

The Gunners get us under way.

Arsene Wenger tells the television cameras that Mesut Ozil is a "short-term thing" and he should be back next week when the Gunners host Chelsea.

Ozil, Arsenal's 'Mr Assist', is a huge loss for the Gunners at the Britannia. Here come the teams...

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

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"Back-to-back away games against Liverpool and Stoke will give a real indication of the strength of the Gunners' title bid.

"I think they are going to win and, if they do get four points from trips to Liverpool and Stoke in the space of four days, then I think a lot of the cynical old pros out there will be looking at them and thinking they are definitely favourites to win this league."

You can listen to full commentary on this game on BBC Radio 5 live from 16:15 GMT.

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"This could be the game that shows whether or not Arsenal have the mettle to be champions.

"It was questioned again , external after losing two points late on at Liverpool, but I thought the way the Gunners came from behind twice showed steel, and Arsene Wenger's upbeat demeanour , external post-match told a story.

"His team have had a perceivable phobia about trips to the Britannia since the Tony Pulis days (and those 'rugby team' comments!), , external and never was it more evident than in the first half of last season's visit.

"If in-form Stoke start like that again, they could sign off from home for a four-game road-trip with a seventh win in 11 Premier League games.

"Top four? Not such a potty thought."

Worst away-day experiences...

Tony Furnell: Middlesbrough v Bournemouth in the 1990s. Lost 4-0,  it rained and got lost on way home to the south coast. 600 miles plus. Ended the night in Leicester!

Manchester United have beaten Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal. That result lifts Untied above West Ham into fifth spot. Should Stoke overcome Arsenal then they will join sixth-placed West Ham on 35 points.

Worst away-day experiences...

Martin Emerson: Sunderland v Norwich in 2004. Was moved to 12:30pm kick-off for TV coverage, meaning we had to leave Norwich at 4am. At 9am we were at service station in Doncaster, only to hear that the game had been called off because of the icy conditions around the ground.

Charlie Adam
Stoke City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live's weekend preview show

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"Jon Walters is the rash of the Premier League - he's a phenomenal player for us and sets the tone for the rest of the team."

Your worst away-day experiences...

Dave Ramshaw: 1978, bus from Blyth to Stoke for FA Cup game. After arriving we got off the bus and went looking for pub for a pint, found one and had a couple of beers until football preview came on telly and informed match had been called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Knocked back beer and went back to the car park at the ground. As we passed the ground doors to the stadium were open and a river was flowing from the pitch through the tunnel and out into the street. We reached the car park to find it empty and were told police had ordered buses to leave an hour earlier. Stood in torrential rain outside ground with no transport home. Managed to scrounge lift in about the fifth pub we looked in from another supporter with a car."

Elsewhere, there is about five minutes left at Anfield where Manchester United have taken the lead against Liverpool - Wayne Rooney with the goal.

You can follow the closing stages of the game on the BBC Sport website.

Nigel Pearson
Former Leicester manager on BBC Radio 5 live's weekend preview show

"Arsene Wenger is a purist. He likes his side to play with a certain identity he's not willing to sacrifice. He is what he is. I'm bamboozled when I hear criticism coming his way. Last year there were banners, I find it bizarre.

"I like to see Arsenal play well. There'll always be question marks over the other side of his game, this year is the time to answer those questions. They're very well placed. They have a squad full of quality, a great goalkeeper. That could make the difference."

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Hoskins: I would play Joselu up front and then play Bojan off him as Arsenal haven't been able to handle Stoke's physicality.

Worldclass: No one ever mentions the fact Stoke have a huge wage bill and have spent big money. They should be doing well!

Nigel Singer: Britannia for #SCFCvAFC. how many layers are needed? It could be a three layer day.

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Stoke's ground staff have done a good job getting rid of the snow that fell on the Britannia overnight. The floodlights are shining brightly and the ground is beginning to fill. Meanwhile, Arsenal keeper Petr Cech is out on the pitch doing some stretching exercises. We're around 40 minutes from kick-off.

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes names an unchanged side for the visit of Arsenal, meaning Joselu starts in attack, with Marko Arnautovic, Bojan Krkic and Jon Walters in support.

Stoke XI: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Whelan, Afellay, Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic, Joselu.

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If Arsenal are to win at Stoke for the first tiem since 2010, they are going to have to do it without Mesut Ozil. The Gunners' talisman is out with a slight foot injury which Arsene Wenger insists is "a short-term problem". Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in.

Meanwhile, new signing Mohamed Elneny is on the bench while Alexis Sanchez is not risked as he nears a return from a hamstring injury.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Flamini, Campbell, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Giroud.

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Your worst away-day experiences...

Kate Dobinson: Palace v Norwich last New Year's day in driving rain, flooded stadium and wooden seat that broke in two.

Gary Thorp: Spurs v Newcastle at St James' Park in thick fog! The drive home was a nightmare - couldn't see past the front of the car.

Liam A: Exeter away travelling from the north east & them scoring in the last added on minute.

Image source, Getty Images

You would think Tottenham Hotspur would be top of the list when it comes to the most hostile place for Arsenal to visit.

Not according to Arsene Wenger, who says the Britannia Stadium is even more unwelcoming after he described Stoke’s tactics as being similar to those of a rugby team.

That remark in 2010 has led to choruses of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot from Stoke fans.

“Why do they boo me? I don’t know. You should ask them. I don’t bully them,"  Wenger says in the Observer., external

Your worst ever away-day experiences...

Aiden Boyer: First ever away day v Brighton (Withdean Stadium) and our stand had no roof and it rained all day... and we didn't even win.

Jonathan: Carlisle away in 3rd Cup. Was -5 and shocking game. Arsenal won 1-0. Long way.

Steve Smitherman: Getting drenched on open terrace at Brighton's Goldstone Ground in the 80's or early 90's. We drew 3-3.