It’s a new season but the same old Arsenal much to the disbelief of the Gunners in the Transfer Tavern.

Arsene Wenger’s men may have come away with three points on Friday night when they defeated Leicester City in a 4-3 thriller at the Emirates Stadium but our landlord believes that Le Prof needs to tighten up his side’s defence if they are going to challenge for the Premier League this season.

The need to tighten up the defence may create something of an opportunity for many of the fringe players of the Arsenal squad and our landlord has been discussing with his resident Gunners whether or not any changes need to be made to the first XI that featured for the red half of North London on Friday night. The discussion has been fuelled by the fact that Arsenal are travelling to the bet365 stadium on Saturday to play a Stoke side who are usually tough opponents at home. The Gunners cannot afford any defensive slip ups in what may be a really tight fixture that may well define the season ahead for Wenger’s men.

With all that said, our landlord has outlined the two players Wenger must give a chance to on Saturday.

Calum Chambers

With Arsenal’s defence looking all at see on Friday night, our landlord has called for Chambers to be introduced to the Arsenal back line to complete a defensive trio with the fit again, Shkodran Mustafi and his England U21 team mate, Rob Holding.

Chambers spent last season out on loan at Middlesbrough and although another loan move seems likely, the Gunners in the Tavern are really keen to see if the former Southampton man can prove his worth in a back three and feel that now is a good opportunity to let Chambers establish himself.

Olivier Giroud

Although Giroud did come off the bench to score the winner against Leicester, the Arsenal fans in the Tavern feel that the Frenchman must start against a Stoke side who will look to dominate physically against the Gunners.

Giroud’s asset is his strength and if Mark Hughes does set up his side to be physical, then there is no doubt that the 30-year-old is more than up to the challenge.