Koscielny and Van Persie ruled out of Stoke clash

ROBIN VAN PERSIE and Laurent Koscielny have been ruled out of Arsenal’s crucial game against Stoke tonight, but both could return for Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Birmingham.

The Gunners head to Wembley this weekend looking to win their first trophy since they beat Manchester United on penalties to lift the 2005 FA Cup.

Van Persie will be key to the club’s chances of success given that he has been on red-hot form recently, scoring five times in his last three matches.