Preview : Arsenal vs Stoke City

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke because of a hamstring injury.

However, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger expects Walcott to be available for Wednesday's Champions League match against Olympiacos.

Alex Song is suspended for the showdown at the Emirates Stadium but right-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from his ankle injury.

Gael Clichy (back), Abou Diaby (calf) and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) are still missing, as are Johan Djourou (knee), Kieran Gibbs (foot) and Robin van Persie (ankle).

Arsenal trail leaders Chelsea by 11 points yet Wenger refuses to concede the title race.

"We are disheartened. We are not light-hearted at the moment, I don't deny that,'' he said.

"But I believe it is a good way to see how strong we react.

"I believe the players are disappointed but highly motivated and determined to get back on track in a convincing way.

"We have a game in hand on the other teams and I believe that Chelsea and Manchester United can drop points.''

Stoke will give a late fitness test to central defender Ryan Shawcross.

The 22-year-old has a groin injury that forced him off in last weekend's 0-0 draw at Blackburn, and is considered a major doubt for the trip to the Emirates.

Stoke are without midfielder Dean Whitehead, who is suspended. Potters boss Tony Pulis also has four other players - Ricardo Fuller, Robert Huth, Glenn Whelan and Shawcross - all one booking away from a ban.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis hopes he is not shaking Arsene Wenger's hand at the Emirates tomorrow after being on the wrong end of a hammering.

The Potters boss has already made it clear he is very much in the camp that insists rival bosses shake hands after matches.

But Pulis fears any handshake will be accompanied by gritted teeth, with Arsenal looking to end a run of three straight defeats.

"This season we have been strong enough to play poorly and still get points. Away from home we have seven points from seven games, which is good.

"If we can average a point a game away from home we will be delighted. We are ahead of the target we have set ourselves.

"We are ninth in the Premier League and that is fantastic for this club."