EPL: Arsenal v Stoke City preview

Arsenal v Stoke City preview

Alexandre Lacazette could make his return from injury when Arsenal host Stoke City on Sunday.

The France international underwent knee surgery following the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on February 10.

But his return to fitness is timely given fellow striker and club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied in the Europa League, where Arsenal face CSKA Moscow in the quarter-finals.

 

Jack Wilshere could also be involved despite missing both England internationals due to a minor knee complaint.

The 26-year-old returned to Arsenal for treatment and assistant manager Steve Bould insists there is no issue between club and country over the latest injury scare for Wilshere.

 

"Jack trained yesterday so he's OK," he said on Thursday. "I don't know where the issues or the reports are coming from to be honest with you. Jack had a bit of a knee problem I think, but he's come back and he's fine. As far as I'm aware, there's no issue."

The Potters sit 19th in the table, three points from safety, having not won in their last seven games. However, they did secure a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the reverse fixture back in August.

 

Arsenal should have Wilshere and Sead Kolasinac fit and available. Lacazette (knee) is also ready to return having been sidelined since February 10 while Santi Cazorla (Achilles) is a long-term absentee.

Stoke could welcome back forward Mame Biram Diouf after missing the last two matches with a shoulder problem.

 

Defender Erik Pieters is also expected to return after he was fined and left out of the squad for the defeat to Everton two weeks ago after breaking a curfew.

Midfielder Charlie Adam begins a three-match ban following his red card against the Toffees while forward Eric Choupo-Moting is expected to be sidelined for several weeks by a groin problem and Ibrahim Afellay has been banished from the squad by manager Paul Lambert.