Arsenal seem to be a much tougher bunch this season and that is sure to get a real test today with the trip to face a Stoke City that has become a bit of a bogey team in recent years as well as the Ramsey and Shawcross situation creating a lot of bad feeling between the two sets of players and the rival fans.

But after a slow start to the Premier League campaign from the Gunners, Arsene Wenger will not be content with a point and so will want his players to take the game to Stoke, while keeping our recent solidity and giving nothing away.

As long as KIeran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny are passed fit to play, the Arsenal back line looks very strong and Emiliano Martinez has proved himself to be a very good stand in for Wojciech Szczesny in goal. With Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere still on the injured list, the manager has little choice in midfield and the form of Santi Cazorla means that he is very unlikely to change anything in the middle.

And after another very impressive appearance as a sub, Olivier Giroud must surely start in the centre forward role. The biggest choice for the boss is whether to bring Oxlade-Chamberlain in for Welbeck, but I think he will keep the Ox on the bench and save him for the trip to Turkey on Tuesday/

Martinez
Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Flamini, Ramsey, Cazorla
Alexis, Giroud, Welbeck

Has this Arsenal line-up gor the right balance and ability to claim a vital win over the pesky Potters?

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