Team News: Nacho Monreal to make Arsenal debut

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