Arsenal
1-0
Stoke Stoke City

Podolski (78')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Build-up

Preview

Team News: Nacho Monreal to make Arsenal debut

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 02 February 2013

Team News: Monreal to make Arsenal debut

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hands a debut to deadline-day signing Nacho Monreal while dropping Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Aaron Ramsey to the bench for their match against Stoke, who make two changes of their own.

Deadline-day signing Nacho Monreal will make his debut for Arsenal today having been included in the side to face Stoke City.

The left-back is one of five changes for the Gunners, as the likes of Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Aaron Ramsey are dropped to the bench.

Thomas Vermaelen is also absent, with the quarter being replaced by Laurent Koscielny, Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Meanwhile, Stoke have made two changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Wigan Athletic during the week, bringing in Ryan Shotton and Andy Wilkinson in place of Charlie Adam and Glenn Whelan.

This means that Peter Crouch retains his place up front, while Michael Owen is on the bench.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal;Diaby, Arteta, Wilshere,; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Giroud
Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Santos, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski

Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Walters, Cameron, Nzonzi, Whelan, Etherington; Crouch
Subs: Sorensen, Jones, Owen, Adam, Whitehead, Kightly, Jerome