Strongest Arsenal line-up to face Stoke City

Saturday’s post lunch time kickoff sees Arsenal travel to the daunting and vociferous Britannia stadium to take on Stoke City. The Gunners come into the encounter after a sublime 4-1 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates and Arsene Wenger will be confident that his boys can keep the stones rolling to get another three points. The Potters however welcome the Gunners on the back of a morale breaking 0-1 reversal at the hands of Manchester City in a game they hardly deserved to lose.

Mark Hughes’s spirited outfit are currently fifteenth in the table, just three points above safety in their battle to stave of relegation. Will Stoke cause an upset or will it be the Gunners who can push Chelsea at the zenith of the table. While we seek answers with time, here is Arsene Wenger’s strongest eleven.

Goalkeeping

Wojciech Szczesny, despite letting in a silly Sunderland consolation should man the Arsenal goal but the Pole should make sure he cuts down the errors in what is Arsenal’s most crucial phase for the title aspirations. Stoke certainly have significant attacking prowess which Szczesny must be wary off.

Defence

In the most likely of situations, Kieran Gibbs will miss the clash given his sustained injury against Bayern Munich, but Nacho Monreal is due to start after an injury of his own, at the Britannia. Bacary Sagna, who had a terrific game against Sunderland should man the right back slot for the Gunners. Wenger is also sure to start with Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s stand in centre back partnership to combat Stoke in the heart of the defence. The French-German pair will be instrumental if the travelling side are to record yet another three points, and need to be at the best of their ability to keep the home side at bay.

Midfield

Mathieu Flamini will most likely play alongside Mikel Arteta in the middle of the park after Wilshere suffered a knock against Sunderland. Mesut Ozil is expected to recuperate from the dead leg he sustained and should make it to the starting eleven. Thomas Rosicky, who started the game ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to keep his place after his wonderful performance against the Black Cats last week which was capped by a sublime Arsenalesque goal.

Cazorla will most probably start from the left pushing Podolski back to the bench after his rare start last week. The German despite showing flashes of his brilliance had an average game and should be used as a sub if the Gunners are in need of a quick fire goal in the second half.

Strike force

Olivier Giroud scored a brace against Sunderland and will be raring to get back on the pitch come this Saturday.