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Duo recalled in 3-4-3 formation: My Arsenal starting XI vs Stoke

By on May 11, 2017

Laurent-Koscielny arsenal

Arsenal can put the pressure on Liverpool with a win over Stoke City when we head to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday night.

This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech continued his excellent recent form after making another selection of fine saves during the win at Southampton last night so it’s a no-brainer for him to keep his place.

Defence: Mustafi, Koscielny, Holding

Koscielny missed the trip to St Marys but the French international should be ready to return against Stoke this weekend so he should be restored in the middle of the back three.

Holding was once again superb at the back so he deserves to keep his place while I thought Mustafi made an excellent return to the side so I’d also stick with him.

Midfield: Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Monreal

Holding, Koscielny and Mustafi at the back would allow Monreal to move out to the left wing-back role with Gibbs dropping out having failed to take his chance in recent weeks with some very average performances.

Hector Bellerin arsenal

Oxlade-Chamberlain limped out of the Saints win with a hamstring injury so he’s almost certain to miss the game this weekend. This is obviously a blow but it will allow Bellerin to return to the starting eleven.

Ramsey and Xhaka continued to forge a good understanding in the middle of the park with both players putting in fine displays at St Marys so there is no need to change things.

Attack: Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck

Welbeck struggled to influence the game last night but it was a tight match for long periods and I still think he’d cause the Stoke defenders a lot more problems than Giroud. So I’d use the Frenchman as an impact substitute again and hope he can come off the bench to nab a goal like he did against Southampton.

Sanchez showed his class once again last night so we’ll be looking for more magic from him this weekend while Ozil will obviously occupy the other attacking position with the likes of Walcott and Perez on the bench.

This would be my line-up:

football formations