Arsenal seem to have forgotten that the first 45 minutes is as vital as the last 45. It is difficult to fathom how a team which has the same players can look like two completely different teams before and after halftime.

The Gunners' slow starts have cost them eight points in the last four games; even if they could have made up half that amount they would have been finding themselves in fourth, rather than striving for it in sixth.

Stoke City is their next challenge at the Emirates in the English Premier League, and if the last few games are anything to go by, Potters manager Tony Pulis will ask his side to put as much pressure on the home side as possible in the opening minutes to see if they crack yet again.

Arsene Wenger in turn will look to remind his players on the importance of playing the full 90 minutes, rather than waking up after going a goal down.

Arsenal have rarely looked like losing this season after scoring the opening goal, and surely that is enough incentive to start the game on the front foot.

The Gunners fans will not get to see David Villa come out and strut his stuff Saturday, but a certain Naco Monreal might be in line for his debut.

With Kieran Gibbs out injured, Wenger will look to fast-track the Spanish international into the side rather than take the risk of playing Andre Santos against a physical side like Stoke - not that any other team would have made much of a difference anyway.

Defense is something that Arsenal have forgotten how to do. The defending in the draw against Liverpool was comical to say the least, and both goals could and should have been prevented.

Per Mertesacker clearly lacks confidence and the big German needs to find that presence and composure he showed at the beginning of the season.

Mikel Arteta could return while Thomas Vermaelen and Francis Coquelin are doubtful for the game. Gibbs is ruled out for four to six weeks rather than the three weeks that was suggested by Wenger earlier.

Stoke, who made a couple of interesting moves on transfer deadline day themselves, will come with a clear strategy -- to take advantage of all setpieces and try to get in as many crosses as possible, while posing a physical presence in the middle of the park to trouble Arsenal's playmakers.

Therefore, the quicker Arsenal play the better. If they find that slick passing and pacy style they produced against West Ham in 11 blistering second half minutes, they are capable of beating any side in the world. The problem is they just don't produce it often enough anymore.

Arsenal looked a threat going forward in the second half against Liverpool and were unlucky not to come away with a victory, but their defense looked even more shaky.

At the end of the day it is about finding the right balance between attack and defense, and against Stoke it is imperative both aspects step up to the plate.

Expected lineups: Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Diaby, Wilshere; Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Whitehead; Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam, Etherington; Jones.

Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal