Wenger: A 1-0 victory against Stoke would be great
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping Stoke City to come to "Emirates" tired of the game in the Europa League. Both teams play each other Sunday game of the 9th round of the Premier League.
"It's hard to play in the Premier League after European games but let's hope they suffer a little bit!" he added.
"It's very important for us to play to our strengths and not hope that Stoke are weaker because they have played in Europe," Wenger continued. "We are expecting a good opponent and for us to continue to focus.
"I feel the team has a good basis because the players are intelligent, they have a desire to do well and you can see the unity in the group is there. We have good ingredients but let's continue to be humble and have the desire to grow as a team."
Stoke lost to Sunderland and Swansea City in previous games in the competition, and have not won at Arsenal for 30 years, but Wenger is not prepared to let that particular stat let his side lose focus on the task ahead.
"Are they a different side away? It depends, the seasons before maybe, this season I don't know.
"It doesn't matter for us, what is important is to win our game. A 1-0 victory against Stoke would be great so let's just focus, use the confidence lift from Marseille and go into the Stoke game to keep our run going."
WATCH PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE ARSENAL vs STOKE CITY HERE.
