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Mark Hughes predicts 'this could be Arsenal's year' in Premier League

Mark Hughes and Arsene Wenger have clashed down the years
Image: Mark Hughes (L) and Arsene Wenger have clashed down the years

Arsenal can end their 13-year wait for a Premier League title next May, according to this weekend's opposition manager.

Mark Hughes is aiming to mastermind Stoke's first win at the Emirates on Saturday, but the visitors are up against an Arsenal side in form having hit West Ham and Basel for nine goals in their past two games.
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And Hughes, who has had his run-ins with Arsene Wenger down the years, believes this could be the season his old sparring partner delivers a fourth league success.

"Arsenal, as a team, look in good shape and whilst we have a lot of confidence, given their form too, it isn't a good time to play them," Hughes said.

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West Ham 1-5 Arsenal

"At times, Arsenal have struggled with consistency and it has cost them, but you sense this could be their year."

Stoke have lost on all eight trips to the Emirates, but they ended a similar record at Old Trafford by claiming a point earlier this season and are in decent form themselves having won five of their last seven in the league.

Hughes said: "We don't have a great record there and we would love to change that at the weekend. It will be tough but we are in a good place.

Hughes and Wenger clashed during the Welshman's time at Manchester City
Image: Hughes and Wenger clashed during the Welshman's time at Manchester City

"It's important for us to give ourselves an opportunity to get something out of the game, we need to stay in the match and frustrate them. But I think it's important to also go there with a positive mindset.

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"We've got the experience of going to Old Trafford, where our record was poor as well, and we've done that this season so it's not as if we are looking back two or three seasons for a positive to help us. It's in our recent memory."

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