Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Duo Could Face Stoke + Positive Welbeck Update

Premier League leaders Arsenal face a tricky trip to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media this morning at his pre-match press conference and he’s given a team news and injury update.

The Frenchman confirmed that new signing Mohamed Elneny is available to make his debut after completing his move from FC Basel on Thursday afternoon, although the boss hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll play any part in the game.

Wenger also revealed that Alexis Sanchez will have a late fitness test to see whether he’ll be passed fit to make his return following seven weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that he suffered against Norwich City.

The Chilean international has been in full training for almost two weeks so Arsene says it’s up to Sanchez to prove he’s ready to gamble on his fitness this weekend.

There was also come positive news on Danny Welbeck with the boss revealing that the 24-year-old is expected to make his return to the first team in 2-3 weeks time after finally recovering from a knee injury that he picked up way back in April 2015.

Many fans have been calling for Wenger to bring in another striker this month but the boss insists that with Welbeck on the verge of making his comeback, there is no need for striking reinforcements as he wouldn’t be able to find anyone better in the market than the former Man Utd forward.

Wenger told reporters:

Wenger says Elneny is available for selection, Sanchez has 2 days to prove if he's ready for a "gamble on his fitness". No other injuries

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 15, 2016

Wenger says Elneny is available for selection, Sanchez has 2 days to prove if he's ready for a "gamble on his fitness". No other injuries

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 15, 2016

It would be a major boost if Sanchez is able to prove his fitness as we’ve sorely missed the Chilean in recent weeks but I hope we don’t take any unnecessary risks with him as the last thing we want is him suffering a set-back.

Elneny’s arrival gives us some much-needed depth to the holding midfield department but I doubt Arsene will throw him straight into action this weekend as the Britannia is hardly the ideal ground to make your Premier League debut.

Arsenal head into the weekend action sitting top of the Premier League on goal difference following Wednesday’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Liverpool so Wenger will be keen to at least maintain that advantage with victory at Stoke this weekend.