Ozil To Return? How Arsenal Should Line Up Against Stoke

Ever since they were promoted to the Premier League, Stoke have proved incredibly hard to beat on their own turf. The fans are as noisy as any others in the division and they don't take kindly to outsiders, and this weekend it's Arsenal that are rolling into town. Arsene Wenger has some big decisions to make in his team, but how should they line up?

Here's how I would start.

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Wojciech Szczesny is the obvious choice to start in goal.

At right-back I would keep Bacary Sagna and on the left I would have Nacho Monreal. Both are strong attacking players and know how to defend, while they also add some pace into an otherwise sluggish backline. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny get my nod for the central positions.

Arteta and Flamini would be my pairing in the middle of the pitch as they have proved reliable throughout the season and both are able to stick a foot in, but I think it will be the more offensive positions that will determine the result of this clash.

Stoke's defence are all big, strong players and Olivier Giroud will need to pull his weight if they are to get anything out of it, but I would add pace on the wings in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla, and reinstate Mesut Ozil in the hols behind the striker.

Gooners, how would you line your players up?