Arsenal will look to keep within reach of leaders Chelsea when they host Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners are unbeaten in the top flight since the opening day of the campaign where they lost out to Liverpool by a 4-3 scoreline.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper:
Petr Cech will return to goalkeeping duties for the Gunners following a rest in midweek. The 34-year-old has been solid at the back for Arsene Wenger’s side despite the lack of clean sheets in recent games.
Defence:
Brazil international Gabriel will keep hold of his place at right-back with Hector Bellerin yet to attain match fitness. Bellerin has recently returned from an ankle problem, and it is predicted that he would regain his spot during the festive period.
Laurent Koscielny and Skhodran Mustafi will once again occupy the heart of the defence with Nacho Monreal getting the nod over Kieran Gibbs for the left-back position.
Midfield:
Wenger has opted to chop and change his options at the centre of the park with Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin, and Mohamed Elneny being the main players. Coquelin has been the mainstay in midfield for the Gunners, and he is likely to be accompanied by Granit Xhaka unless the manager opts to rest the Swiss.
Moving forward, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had one of his best games against West Ham United last weekend, and he will keep his place on the left wing with Mesut Ozil in the middle, and Theo Walcott on the right side of the attack.
Forward:
Alexis Sanchez is undoubtedly the most in-form player in the Gunners shirt and will be guaranteed a starting place on Saturday. Speculation has suggested that the Chilean could be offered a winter break, but it is hard to ignore a player who has netted five goals in his last two outings.
