Arsenal vs Stoke City: Hector Bellerin facing late fitness test

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is available to face Stoke City on Saturday (10 December) after missing the Champions League victory against Basel due to suspension. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger revealed that Hector Bellerin may be ready to return from his ankle injury, but the Premier League encounter will come too soon for Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker.

Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey formed Arsenal's midfield in the absence of Coquelin during the midweek encounter, with the Gunners securing a comfortable win thanks to a Lucas Perez hat-trick. The result saw them finish top of Group A, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.

Wenger said he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Stoke, but is awaiting a late fitness test on Bellerin. The Spaniard is yet to play a game for Arsenal since damaging the ligaments of his ankle during the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on 6 November.

"From Tuesday night we have no injuries, I hope. Everyone looks to have recovered well. Coming back into the squad, we have Coquelin who was of course suspended and maybe Bellerin who has a test today," Wenger said in the press conference ahead of the Potters visit.

The French boss revealed that Welbeck and Mertesacker are also making good progress in their respective recoveries. However, both will remain on the sidelines for the visit of Stoke as they are yet to play this season.

"They are recovering well but they are a few weeks away from joining in again," Wenger confirmed.

Santi Cazorla is also out, having just undergone surgery to correct his Achilles injury.

The Spaniard posted an update on Instagram to reveal that the operation was "perfect, but he is still expected to be out of action for at least two months.

Asked about the recovery of the Arsenal midfielder, Wenger added: "It's a difficult way to say the surgery is 'perfect', but you can say it was needed and it went well. Afterwards we have to see how he recovers."