Predicted Arsenal Starting XI To Take On Stoke – Jenkinson To Start?

Arsenal take on Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon, here’s my predicted team for the game.

Arsene Wenger confirmed at his press conference on Thursday afternoon that he has concerns at left-back with both Nacho Monreal (foot) and Kieran Gibbs (buttock) doubts for the game. Should the duo miss out, the boss has a tough decision to make.

One of his options is to use the fit again Thomas Vermaelen at left-back, but after missing two months it’s unlikely he’ll be risked in such a tough away game. Another option would be to use Mathieu Flamini at left-back but I think the solution he’ll go with is to bring Carl Jenkinson in at right-back and move Bacary Sagna across to the left side of defence.

It will also be interesting to see who Wenger goes with in midfield. Flamini could come back in having not started last week against Sunderland, but the Frenchman is a hot-head and this is the type of high-intensity game he could find himself picking up a card or two, so I think it will be Arteta and Wilshere again in the middle.

Wenger has confirmed Mesut Ozil will return after being rested last week but I think Santi Cazorla could be rested with Tomas Rosicky keeping his place after an impressive performance last week. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also come back in having not featured against Sunderland.

Here’s my predicted team.

We head into the weekend games sitting just one point behind Chelsea so we need to be ready to take advantage of any slip up from our rivals by doing our job and securing three points at the Britannia.

What team would you like Wenger to go with? Leave your suggestions below.