Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson hopeful of Arsenal result

Andy Wilkinson kept skipper Abdoulaye Faye out of the team at Blackburn

Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson believes that the Potters have a good chance of getting a good result against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Gunners have now lost three of their last four games - and 25-year-old right-back Wilkinson recognises that Stoke have a chance to take advantage.

"I'm hoping that it will play into our hands," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"But you don't know, you don't want the backlash of it. We'll need to be right at the top of our game."

After a man-of-the-match performance in the 1-0 win against Portsmouth, Wilkinson kept his place in the starting line-up for last weekend's 0-0 draw at Blackburn, at the expense of skipper Abdoulaye Faye, who was returning from suspension.

Stoke were hammered 4-1 on their first visit to the Emirates Stadium back last May.

Our away performances are much better than last year Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson

But the Potters have already enjoyed one Premier League win over Arsenal (the 2-1 victory at the Britannia 13 months ago).

And, based also on their improved away form (Stoke have lost just twice on the road this season, compared to last term's 13 defeats in 19 games), Wilkinson believes that they will not be overawed by the occasion.

"I think that's shown already," he said. "Our away performances are much better than last year.

"We're going to places, we're believing in ourselves and we're not letting the occasion get the better of us.

"But by no means is it going to be an easy game for us."