Gunners unchanged for visit of Stoke

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named an unchanged starting XI for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke, where club-record signing Mesut Ozil made his home debut as the Gunners aimed to go top of the table.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta was back in the squad for the first time this season after recovering from a thigh injury, while Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner was also on the bench having seen a move away during the transfer window blocked.

Stoke were looking to maintain their promising start under new manager Mark Hughes, with Kenwyne Jones and Marko Arnautovic leading the visitors’ attack.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Wilshere, Giroud.

Subs: Vermaelen, Arteta, Viviano, Monreal, Jenkinson, Gnabry, Bendtner.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters, Walters, Nzonzi, Adam, Wilson, Arnautovic, Jones.

Subs: Whelan, Pennant, Palacios, Crouch, Etherington, Sorensen, Ireland.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)