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Perez & Gibbs start in 4-2-3-1: My Arsenal XI to face Stoke

By on December 8, 2016

Lucas-Perez arsenal

We will be looking to continue our excellent recent form when Arsenal entertain Stoke City at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina was back between the sticks for our Champions League win over Basel in midweek but Cech should return in goal this weekend.

Defence: Gabriel, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs

Bellerin is back in training and is facing a late fitness test but I wouldn’t rush him back and would only start him if he’s 100% fit. Gabriel has done a decent job at right-back lately so I wouldn’t have a problem with him facing Stoke.

Mustafi will return to the fold after being rested in midweek while Koscielny should obviously marshall the back four once again. I’d also like to see Gibbs keep his place after his excellent performance in midweek that saw him provide a hat-trick of assists.

Midfield: Ramsey, Xhaka

I finally got to see Ramsey alongside Xhaka in the middle of the park against Basel and I thought the initial signs were positive. Xhaka brings some much needed control to the team and his passing makes us tick in the absence of Cazorla.

Ramsey provides the engine and is a threat in and around the box while he also does his bit defensively so I think this pairing has real potential. No doubt Wenger will recall his ‘favourite’ Coquelin but I hope he sticks with Xhaka/Ramsey.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, Perez

Ozil was excellent again against Basel so let’s hope for another performance from our German schemer while I’d like to see Walcott restored to the attack after he was left out in midweek.

The big decision for Wenger is whether to retain Perez after he bagged a hat-trick on Tuesday night. The Spaniard was deployed from the wing but he supported Sanchez in the box and showed a real poachers instinct. His all-round game still needs plenty of work but what kind of message would it send if he was dropped after scoring three goals?

Striker: Sanchez

Sanchez was outstanding again in midweek and he showed he’s more than capable of being the world class striker we need with a hat-trick at West Ham last weekend. Giroud is back to fitness but I’d continue to use him as an impact sub and play Alexis through the middle against Stoke this weekend.

This would be my line-up: