Gibbs and Arshavin start for Gunners

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was named in the team to face Stoke on his return to the Britannia Stadium – the same venue where he horrifically broke his leg last season.

Manager Arsene Wenger made two changes from the side which beat Manchester United last weekend with Kieran Gibbs making his first start since March 12 because of Gael Clichy’s hamstring injury and Andrey Arshavin replacing the Samir Nasri (also hamstring), while Thomas Vermaelen was named on the bench after a nine-month injury lay-off.

Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson recovered from a dead leg to allow boss Tony Pulis to name the same starting line-up which drew at Blackpool.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Delap, Walters, Jones.

Subs: Sorensen, Collins, Pugh, Diao, Carew, Faye, Shotton.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin, van Persie.

Subs: Lehmann, Vermaelen, Rosicky, Squillaci, Eboue, Chamakh, Bendtner.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)