TEAM NEWS: Wilshere returns as Oxlade-Chamberlain keeps place for Liverpool clash

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has overcome an ankle problem to start for the Gunners against Liverpool at Anfield, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain retaining his place after a double against Crystal Palace.The 22-year-old midfielder missed both the home clash with the Eagles and the 2-2 draw away to Southampton, but has returned to the starting XI after successfully shaking off the knock.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, meanwhile, was drafted in to play a holding role against Palace due to the absence of Wilshere, Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey, and has been pushed into a more advanced role following his goalscoring heroics, with Lukas Podolski missing out.

Elsewhere, Nacho Monreal is preferred to Kieran Gibbs, though a back-line that has kept 11 clean sheets this season – the joint most in the Premier League – is otherwise unchanged.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers sticks with the same side that drew 1-1 with West Brom last time out, with prolific strike partnership Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge continuing in attack.

Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet; Flanagan, Toure, Skrtel,  Cissokho; Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho; Suarez, Sturridge. Subs: Jones, Kelly, Ibe, Moses, Aspas, Allen, Alberto.

Arsenal starting XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Wilshere, Arteta; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ozil; Giroud. Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Rosicky, Gnabry, Podolski, Bendtner.

More to follow…

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