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Trio return in 3-4-2-1: The Arsenal XI that will beat Stoke

By on August 17, 2017

shkodran mustafi arsenal

Arsenal head to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday evening for our Premier League clash with Stoke City. Here is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger select as it has the potential to bring home the three points….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech didn’t cover himself in glory during the 4-3 win over Leicester City but he was exposed by our make-shift defence so let’s cut him some slack. He’s still a better keeper than Ospina so I’d stick with the Czech legend between the sticks.

Defence: Mustafi, Mertesacker, Monreal

Koscielny serves the last of his three-match ban but thankfully we have Mustafi available for selection. The German international wasn’t match fit against Leicester following his late arrival to pre-season training but he’s got another full week under his belt so I’d bring him back in to the side this weekend.

Holding wasn’t at his best against the Foxes and the Britannia is a tough place for anyone to go never mind an inexperienced defender so I’d give him a breather.

Mertesacker is also back in contention after recovering from a cut above his eye and I’d bring the German giant in to the side as his presence at the back could be important.

I’m not a huge fan of Monreal playing in the back three but with Koscielny still out and Gabriel off to Valencia, he’s probably the best option we’ve got right now.

Midfield: Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac

Kolasinac played in the patched-up back three last weekend but with Mustafi and Per returning he’s free to move out to his preferred wing-back role and I’m looking forward to seeing him again as he was superb against Leicester.

Xhaka was hit and miss on Friday night as although he grabbed two assists he was also at fault for two goals so the pressure is on him to cut out the mistakes this weekend.

Ramsey came off the bench to score a vital equaliser against Leicester so he should certainly get a recall in place of Elneny – who just doesn’t bring enough to the team in my opinion.

Bellerin is the favourite to keep his place in the right wing-back position meaning Oxlade-Chamberlain would have to make-do with a place among the subs.

Attack: Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette

Ozil was poor against the Foxes but I’m putting that down to a lack of match fitness so let’s hope for an improved display this weekend from our German schemer.

Sanchez continues to miss out with an apparent abdominal injury so Welbeck should keep his place in attack as although his final product is frustrating at times, he works hard and is a huge threat.

Lacazette got his Arsenal career off to a flying start after opening his account inside 90 seconds so he’ll keep his place up front despite Giroud pushing for a recall following his heroics off the bench on Friday.

This would be my team:

This team looks well balanced as we have the players playing in their best positions, unlike against Leicester where it was a patched-up mess. The team is full of quality and I have no doubt we’d bring home all three points if Wenger selects the above eleven.

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