Alexis Sanchez remains sidelined – but defensive boost for Arsenal ahead of trip to Stoke

Arsenal must continue the new season without Alexis Sanchez with the forward set to miss this weekend’s trip to Stoke.

The Gunners have not yet been able to call on the Chile international, with fitness concerns keeping him out of the Community Shield and an abdominal injury seeing him miss the 4-3 win over Leicester on Friday.

Arsene Wenger confirmed that the club’s top scorer from last season would have no role to play at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

‘For Sanchez it looks a little early but he works hard in training,’ said the Arsenal manager.

Wenger has also confirmed that defensive minded players Shkodran Mustafi and Francis Coquelin are fit and available for selection.

Per Mertesacker, who received a cut about his eye in the Community Shield, is also back in contention.

Their returns will be a relief after Wenger was forced to deploy Nacho Monreal at the centre of a back-three for the win over Leicester.

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