Arsenal News: Major injury updates, Shaqiri outlines Stoke tactics, striker hits back
Stoke's Xherdan Shaqiri says his side can at least get a draw against Arsenal
NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT brings you all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
 
Arsenal will welcome back centre-halves Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker for their Premier League clash with Stoke this Saturday (3pm).
The Gunners have missed their defensive pairing over the past few games but both are expected to be fit to play at the Britannia.
Frenchman Koscielny has carried a back injury in recent weeks and sat out of the national side's win over Serbia on Monday.
And Mertesacker is fit after recovering from a virus.
 
Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere will return to Arsenal training next week as he continues his recovery from a leg fracture.
Stoke midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri says his side will play to get "at least a point" against Arsenal this weekend.
Stoke are unbeaten at home against the Gunners since 2010 but the £12million summer signing says his new side will find it tough against Arsene Wenger's men.
 
"It will be a difficult game for us at Arsenal on Saturday, but it is one that we are looking forward to and one we are positive about," he told Stoke's official website. 
"It was difficult for us in our last game, playing for the majority of the game with nine men, but even then I thought we did well and had opportunities. 
"It has been nice to link back up with my international teammates - it came at a good time as I was able to see my friends and family back in Switzerland. 
"I am ready to get back to action with Stoke City now though and hopefully pick up a positive result on Saturday. We want to get at least a point from the game."
 
Another man who should start for Arsenal against Shaqiri and co. this weekend is Olivier Giroud, who came under fire for his performance for France on Monday.
Giroud was booed by the home fans when subbed off for Arsenal summer target Karim Benzema in the second half.
He has scored just once for Arsenal all season and last netted for France in March - but hit back at his critics.
"As a striker, what you get used to on a daily basis, it is to be applauded when you score goals. When the opposite happens, it’s difficult. Everybody gets criticised at one point," he said.
“That’s not the first and surely not the last time it happens. I have the mental strength to bounce back. Now I am going to focus on working.
"I am everything but worried about that. I will bounce back." 

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