November ended and so did Arsenal’s nervy run. The Gunners are flying high at the moment, leapfrogging Manchester City and Liverpool last week when they thrashed West Ham United 5-1 at their own stadium and then enjoyed yet another one-sided victory over FC Basel in the midweek that helped them qualify for the knockout stages from the top spot.
Their next fixture against Stoke City might be a tricky one as the Potters have at times got the upper hand over the Gunners due to their physical superiority. However, given Arsenal’s current form, they look to be favourites to overcome Stoke’s challenge at the Emirates.
Their home record also points towards that. Arsenal have won each of their last 14 games against Stoke in all competitions and have even managed to keep 8 clean sheets in that run. Arsenal are also on a 13-game unbeaten league run, which is their longest such streak since April 2011. Stoke City, on the other hand, have lost just once in their last nine league games and have moved up in the table after an atrocious start.
Defence
After resting in the midweek fixture against FC Basel, where Ospina took the gloves, Cech will return back to start against Stoke City.
Arsenal finally might have found a safe replacement in Gabriel Paulista in the right-back position after Hector Bellerin left a large void following his ankle injury. Shkodran Mustafi is expected to return alongside Laurent Koscielny in the central defensive position. Arsenal’s left back position looks more than secured with both Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs playing well.
