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Arsenal confirmed team to take on Stoke! Three changes made

Arsenal have announced their team to take on Stoke City today, in what has to be a must-win encounter if they are to make the Champions League places.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain limped off the pitch on Wednesday and unfortunately misses out, while Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs lose their starting places.

Monreal finds himself returned to the wing-back position, while Hector Bellerin makes his first start since our side made the switch to 3-4-2-1, providing us with a back five in theory.

Francis Coquelin also finds himself starting his first game since the change in system, coming in for Aaron Ramsey just in front of the defence. Olivier Giroud also kept his place in the team, with Danny Welbeck left on the bench.

Lucas Perez and Kieran Gibbs will not be playing any part in today’s game having not made the squad for the trip to Stoke.

Will this team have enough to seal all three points today? Is there too many defensive players in the starting line-up?

Pat J

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56 Comments

  1. Nice line-up for me, been wanting Monreal back on the LWD….and the back three looks solid as well…coyg!!!

  2. I just want to say, it was Gazidis sending this team in. I wanted to put Danny in front but I was threatened with losing my job. And I don’t want to lose on the 8 mils a year, you feel me.

    1. I feel u Arsene.
      Ivan trippin’

      U might need to go toe to toe with dude

  3. Would have allowed Elneny to partner Xhaka though, we look so defensive with Coquelin…and Giroud will either be frustrating or handy depending on the kind of approach Stoke will play.

    If they are set-up defensively, Giroud will be good but if is an open game and we are pressed it will frustrating…that said, wish the boys goodluck!!!

  4. Josh king seems to be scoring a goal a game at the moment. Too bad he had a poor start to the season and being benched, maybe he would’ve been top scorer by now. But teams will be keeping an eye on this guy.

  5. Just when Ramsey and Welbeck were playing well Wenger drops them smh.
    It will be a draw. Giroud and Coq don’t deserve a start?

    1. Ramsey is made of glass. He can’t start so many games like that consecutive and i think he fears playing vs stoke and is always in hide mode when he plays vs them. So to me its a good strategy but i agree with the welbz he should start ahead of giroud. Ramsey coming in the second half can have an impact but and i repeat BUT it all comes down to how coq and xhaka partnership keeps us in the game.

      1. I can’t see Arsenal scoring with Giroud up front and no creativity in midfield. It will either be 0-0 or Stoke win by 1-0.

  6. Best defensive lineup in years. Wenger will probably come out before or after the match and say Ramsey might suffer a little bit ‘mentally’ becuase of waht happened here many years ago and thats why he didn’t start him.

  7. I get the reason as to xhaka and coq but for me the combo has not worked. Its good wenger wants us to match there physicality in the middle. Bellerin needs to turn up and produce a splendid performance. Coyg! Lets get the three points here and break one of the bogey teams. Its a tough one but considering they hve nothing to play for its all down to how much we want it. Coq and xhaka work today even if you hve failed milions time!

    1. Mainly because Coquelin thinks he is Henry at times and other times he thinks he is Pirlo. Someone tell that guy he is a DMF.

  8. He has to rotate so I’m not feeling this line up but I understand we have mad amount of games in short time.
    Level terms half timw
    Win second half

    Coyg

  9. Xhaka and Coquelin doesn’t work because they both prefer playing with Cazorla. They both struggle playing in defensive system. I hope we sign a top CM next season.

  10. Lucas doesn’t even warm the bench
    Lucas should consider leaving for his own benefit
    I still think Alexis should be up front instead of Giroud (i hope Giroud scores though)
    Giroud has shown he is more likely to score of the bench and Alexis would not have scored 20 goals if he had not played up front this season

    Hope Ozil can play his best for these next 3 matches at least

    Hope we win
    Fingers crossed

  11. relying on west ham to draw pool seems far fetched, whatever happens i hope we sign a world class CF this summer, tired of deciding between 3 C rated strikers…

  12. OG is big fat liability.. though he might snap a goal in matches like this but 90% of his overall play is rubbish

    1. I didn’t know he was playing today. I thought Wenger only named 10 starters. Giroud is great coming off the bench, but like having Mert up top when he starts. Dang Giroud is a lamppost. He couldn’t get on the end of a through ball if his life depended on it.

      Giroud built like a CB and plays like one up top. Shame no one in world is better or we would have them. At least that’s what puppet master says.

      1. Ha Giroud scores as I typed that slander. My apologies to you Giroud, I’ll be eating my earlier words now straight away.

        I’ll slander you again later before your second goal after I finish eating earlier comment

          1. Fickle much? You call Giroud a liability then post that you knew he would score after he gets his first goal. You should have auditioned for M Knight shyamalan’s movie “Split”.

  14. it’s very difficult to win with ozil an Sanchez because they don’t make them self available for the cross inside the box only giroud along is thair for the cross

  16. Alex Iwobi should be playing for Monreal. I love that Wenger finally plays a smart formation but still can’t quite get the personnel right! He’s such a pussy douche

  17. our midfield is two fullbacks and two holding midfielders. Of course we would struggle to create chances

  18. Regardless of the goal I think we need upgrades on Koscielny, Bellerin, Coquelin, and Giroud. Just my observations…

      1. Plenty of younger CB’s out there. Check out the other leagues and you’ll see but 1 jumps out to me in England is Van Dijk.

  19. Look at all the experts criticising Coquelin who basically put that goal on a plate despite it not being his “job”

    2. He’s not Arsenal quality, easily forgotten who use to wear the shirt and constantly deliver. The PL trophy drought continues as Fabregas lifts his second in 3 years.

  20. The best thing to come out of this season is Rob Holding who’s sensational. The only thing that would top it is having Arsene go at the end. Our prayers lie with Wet Ham giving us a repeat of Lasagna gate.

  23. If Wenger goes then Gazidis stays but if Gazidis stays then Wenger goes.
    It’s a straight fight.
    Trust me. That’s the fight.

  24. I’m liking this new formation more and more. Our defence is more solid and dependable, and that gives the attacking players more confidence to do their thing.

    The change has worked so far, and I no longer get nervous when other teams are in our half.

    Based on that, maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks?

    Wenger has certainly stepped up to the challenge of being past it.

    Long may it continue.

  25. i was just about to criticize our slow play and ozil scores… guess i should curse the team more 😀

  27. Idiot ref
    Several fouls an he says f all
    Crouch scores

  28. Stoke. Back to fouling whole time

    Hate them

  29. Stupid fing ref. Elbow to OG, elbow to Mustafu, foul on Bellerin beforr goal, Hand ball goal crouch.

    What an idiot ref. Then tells players to calm down, why, you letting them do wtf they want.

  30. How FA lets fools like take charge of such important games is beyond me.

    Dean should be banned for this shenanigan

  32. Amazing that Arsenal have two yellow cards and Stoke none … they’ve fouled AS& of the pitch

  33. This commentator hates arsenal and wenger even more, who is this fool.

    He says nothing about fouls on arsenal, but moment stoke player gets fouled he wants a red.

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