Wenger starts van Persie on the bench

Robin van Persie was rested by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for today’s Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.

The Holland striker and Gunners captain, who has scored seven goals this season, was on the bench with Marouane Chamakh starting alongside Gervinho in attack.

Aaron Ramsey returned to the starting line-up following his midweek goalscoring cameo in Europe, while former Tottenham forward Peter Crouch was restored to the Stoke line-up.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Andre Santos, Walcott, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Gervinho, Chamakh.

Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Park, van Persie, Arshavin, Frimpong, Benayoun.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Upson, Wilson, Whitehead, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Walters, Crouch.

Subs: Sorensen, Huth, Jones, Diao, Shotton, Jerome, Palacios.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)