(Picture) Predicted Arsenal Lineup To Play Against Stoke City – Giroud In The Starting Lineup

Arsenal’s failure in adding to their defense and midfield options in the summer transfer window has seen the North London side barely managing to maintain their position in the Europa League places. A defeat at the hands of Manchester United was followed by a vital win at the Hawthorns, thanks to Danny Welbeck’s solitary goal. A late Alexis goal may have saved Wenger the blushes on Wednesday but with a number of injuries in midfield including long term absentees Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal Wenger will have some head scratching to do as he sends his team out to face Stoke City at the tricky Britannia Stadium.

Let’s take a look at the Arsenal lineup which could take the field against Stoke City.

Goalkeeper:

Emiliano Martinez

Emiliano Martinez has kept a clean sheet in each of his last three appearances and has looked solid in the back for a rookie keeper, who was supposed to be playing reserve and cup games this season. Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina are set to resume first team training by this weekend and should be available for first team selection next week.

Defence:

Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs.

Calum Chambers can be a liability at right back when up against pace but his awareness and work ethic makes him a reliable backup for the injured Mathieu Debuchy, who is set to return next week after three months out with ankle injury. Nacho Monreal shook off a knock he took at the Hawthorns to start against Southampton, but is likely to be rested and replaced by the defensively stronger Kieran Gibbs. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny line up at the heart of the back four as Arsenal’s tried and tested central defensive pairing. The defensive pair has already kept two back to back cleansheets and would be more than reliable against the Potters attack.

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Midfield

Flamini, Ramsey, Cazorla, Sanchez, OX.

Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey are among the few midfield options available after Jack Wilshere became the latest midfielder to walk into the treatment room. Wenger started the duo against Southampton at home and the trip to Stoke could be another test of Ransey’s ability to express himself in a midfield two. Alexis Sanchez may line up behind the front man and should have much more space to exploit as compared to his wider role. The Chilean scored a late winner and should be high on confidence while Danny Welbeck although brilliant at times, wasn’t good enough against the Saints and has every chance to be benched for this one.

Santi Cazorla has flattered to deceive in recent games, but the lack of creative force in the midfield would force Wenger to continue with the Spaniard. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s substitution in the second half against Southampton raised a few eye brows as he was brilliant throughout the game, his pace and running ability may well be the key to unlock Stoke.

Striker:

Olivier Giroud

Giroud scored a cracker against Manchester United on his return and his return should allow Arsenal to have some presence in the penalty area after the attacking looked one dimensional against the Saints. Giroud started on the bench on Wednesday but should be raring to start after a barrage of late Arsenal pressure saw Giroud heavily involved in the latter stages against Southampton.