Here are 11 things you should know about Stoke City and Arsenal before Sunday’s kick-off:
1. Stoke City had to battle to earn a point against newly promoted Reading last weekend, covering a total of 61.33 miles in their first game of the season. That was enough to put them in the top five teams for distance covered.
2. Forward Jonathan Walters was the engine of the Stoke team last season and got this season off on the same note, covering more ground than any other player in the Stoke team with 6.33 miles.
3. Walters also covered 4.4 miles of that at a sprint during the game, the 4th highest total in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
4. Meanwhile winger Matthew Etherington was the fastest player on the pitch, clicking a top speed of 22.92 mph.
5. Arsenal will have to get used to life without talismanic striker Robin van Persie after his transfer to Manchester United.
6. The new look Arsenal drew a blank against Sunderland at The Emirates in their first game of the season, although there are some positives for the Arsenal fans.
7. The Gunners out ran Sunderland by 59.05 miles to 57.25 miles, with Mikel Arteta putting in the most yards with 6.15 miles.
8. A steady looking Arsenal defence attempted 35 tackles in total, the third highest of any team in the league, and were in the top five teams for busiest defence overall. Their back line had to contribute 71 defensive interventions across tackles, blocks, clearances and interceptions.
9. That defensive performance was led by youngster Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs who attempted nine and eight tackles respectively, making them the top two players in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for tackles attempted.
10. At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal completed 242 passes in their opponents half, behind only Manchester United and Manchester City for the first weekend. Arsenal were also in the top five for attempts at goal with 14.
11. New signing Santi Carzola impressed in that respect, completing 49 passes in his opponents half to make it into the top five.
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