Arsenal will again be without Alexis Sanchez for their Premier League trip to Stoke on Saturday evening.

The forward is sidelined with an abdominal injury but could return against Liverpool next week, while defender Laurent Koscielny is also missing as he serves the last of a three-game ban.

Shkodran Mustafi, Per Mertesacker and Francis Coquelin should all be available after missing the win over Leicester, while Mesut Ozil could also be back following an ankle issue.

Santi Cazorla (ankle) is a long-term absentee.

Arsene Wenger will have to do without Alexis Sanchez (
Image:
Arsenal FC/Getty)

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "Early team news is that from last week I think Mertesacker will be available again.

"For Alexis it looks a bit early, but he works hard in training. Our medical people think Saturday comes too soon but he should be available for the next game against Liverpool."

Provisional squad: Cech, Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Holding, Monreal, Mustafi, Bellerin, Nelson, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Xhaka, Elneny, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette.

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