Stoke City skipper Ryan Shawcross is being linked with Arsenal.

The Sunday Express says Shawcross, who has been the Gunners' public enemy No1 since his controversial tackle broke Aaron Ramsey's leg almost five years ago, arrives at the Emirates with Stoke this afternoon amid social media suggestions that Arsene Wenger will take the opportunity to run the rule over the 27-year-old.

Frenchman Wenger fuelled the speculation further by revealing he would prefer to sign an English tough guy during this month's transfer window.

Wenger made no secret of his belief that such a player would provide the steely English backbone that served him so well when Tony Adams and co. were in their prime.

And Shawcross' name jumped to the fore when the Arsenal boss suggested the hard man he is looking for wouldn't necessarily have to be technically gifted - just tough.