Arsenal have been handed a huge injury boost as Hector Bellerin is likely to feature against Stoke City on Saturday.
Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin has handed Arsene Wenger a huge injury boost as he has made himself available for the weekend fixture against Stoke City. The speedy 21-year-old will have to pass a late fitness if he is to be named in the eighteen man squad.
His presence in an Arsenal shirt cannot be undermined and Wenger will be glad to have his right-back in contention to start. Gabriel Paulista has struggled to cope up as a makeshift option while Carl Jenkinson injured himself, adding to the manager’s woes in that department.
Another player returning to the Arsenal side will be Francis Coquelin. The tenacious midfielder had to sit out the Champions League game in midweek due to a European suspension, and is likely to slot right into the starting eleven.
Alex Iwobi’s poor performances of late will see him start the game from the bench while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to play on the left wing. Alexis Sanchez has been in sublime form this season and will continue to lead the line.
Santi Cazorla has been a huge miss for Arsenal and is still a few weeks away from returning to full fitness. He recently underwent a surgery after an Achilles injury he picked up against Ludogorets in the Champions League.
Mathieu Debuchy is still to recuperate from an hamstring injury while Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are battling thigh concerns.
For Stoke, Ryan Shawcross’ absence at the centre of defence may prove to be fatal which will see Bruno Martins Indi and Marc Muniesa start as a centre-back pairing. Ibrahim Affelay and Stephen Ireland continue to be ruled out while Phil Bardsley is also not close to returning to full fitness anytime in the coming weeks.
