Pulis is happy to admit Arsenal are in a different class, in particular after viewing last week's stunning Champions League win over Barcelona up close.

Ignoring the shock FA Cup draw at Leyton Orient on Sunday when boss Arsene Wenger fielded a weakened side, Pulis knows the Frenchman is likely to parade his strongest line-up tomorrow as the Gunners look to close the gap at the top of the table to one point on leaders Manchester United

"I went to their game with Barcelona, and it was a fantastic game," said Pulis, whose side visit the Emirates Stadium for what is a re-arranged fixture that was initially postponed before Christmas due to bad weather.

"For all of Barcelona's dominance, and they were very dominant at times, Arsenal still had very good chances. Robin van Persie could have scored a hat-trick.

"Arsenal will be delighted to be 2-1 ahead and heading out for the return with a great opportunity of going through. It means the second game will be a great one.

"But in watching that game I can say we're not on their level, I think everybody accepts that.

"So we just have to go there and do our best, and that's what we'll do.

"We have to be switched on. It's a game we know will be very, very difficult, even if we play at our best. If we don't, then we're in trouble."

Although Stoke sit in a relatively comfortable 10th place in the table, they are still far from safe as they are only six points above the relegation zone.

Aside from an FA Cup quarter-final tie at home to West Ham, Pulis' main concern now is ploughing through the 40-point barrier that is often viewed as the target required for safety.

With Stoke seven points shy at present, Pulis added: "I've said to the players we've a great opportunity now at the back end of this season.

"Although we've some very tough games in the Premier League coming up, we have to get the 40 points, that's massively important for us.

"The basis of the Premier League is that you have to get to those 40 points as quick as you can because no-one is safe.

"Just look at the table and some of the teams below us who have been in this league for a long time and have more experience than us.

"It shows you have no God-given right to be anywhere and accept anything other than the fact you have to get those 40 points as quickly as you can."

The match is Stoke's first against Arsenal since a 3-1 home defeat a year ago, a game sadly remembered for Ryan Shawcross' challenge on Aaron Ramsey that left the young midfielder with a broken leg.

It was a tackle that infuriated Wenger at the time who in the aftermath claimed it was "horrendous."

Ramsey has since recovered, although he will not be involved as he is currently on loan with npower Championship side Cardiff as he continues to build up his fitness.

In addressing the situation back in December, Pulis admitted then Shawcross would not be affected by any potential abuse from the Arsenal fans, with that viewpoint unlikely to have altered since.

As captain, Shawcross will lead out a side likely to be missing Matthew Etherington, who has sustained a back injury understood to be linked to a defect in his jawline.

Asmir Begovic will return in goal ahead of Thomas Sorensen, while Dean Whitehead is due to figure after being rested as an unused substitute for Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Brighton.