Arsenal predicted lineup to face Sunderland this weekend: Wenger to make 9 changes from the League Cup game!
Oct 29, 2016 at 10:41 AM
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal put on an early winning streak in the Premier League that put them at the top of the table level on points with Manchester City and Liverpool but were halted last weekend by a spirited Middlesbrough side. Their League Cup journey took the next step, setting up an interesting home clash with Southampton at the end of the next month and the manager will now turn his attention towards the Premier League. The Gunners travel to the Stadium of Light for a lunch time kick-off against Sunderland and will be hopeful of taking all three points keeping in mind that David Moyes’ side have now lost 7 of their last 9 league fixtures. Here is the predicted lineup that Wenger might field for this game:
Team News:
The manager revealed that star midfielder Santi Cazorla will play no role in this game leaving Aaron Ramsey to take up the midfield duties straight after coming back from injury. Granit Xhaka will serve his last game of the suspension while Per Mertesacker, Lucas Perez, Chuba Akpom and Danny Welbeck remain long-term absentees. Theo Walcott will be back in contention after missing out on the League Cup game while Nacho Monreal will be assessed before the game.
Petr Cech:
The first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal was their hero in the previous round of the Premier League and will be back in action after getting a rest in the mid-week.
Hector Bellerin:
The Spaniard has been a consistent player for the Gunners for more than a season now and will keep his place in the right-back spot for this game.
Laurent Koscielny:
One of the defenders in the League, Koscielny, was rested for the League Cup game against Reading and will be back in action this weekend.
Shkodran Mustafi:
The German international has been a good suite to Wenger’s style of play at the club and is the first choice center back for Wenger early this season.
Kieron Gibbs:
With Monreal not yet deemed fit enough to start this game, Gibbs, who did a decent job in the League Cup will get his second consecutive start this weekend.
Francis Coquelin:
The absence of Granit Xhaka and Santi Cazorla will see Coquelin take up the midfield responsibilities for the Gunners in the midfield for this game.
Aaron Ramsey:
Just coming back from an injury, Ramsey, will be pushed into action straight away and will start this game against Sunderland.
Theo Walcott:
Though the English winger missed the League Cup game to illness, he is expected to be back in action this weekend and will take his place on the right side of the attack for his side.
Mesut Ozil:
The German international drew blanks in the previous league game against Boro but will be expected to help his side to victory in this game against the Black Cats.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
An impressive brace in the League Cup against Reading will give Oxlade-Chamberlain a chance to start against Sunderland this weekend.
Alexis Sanchez:
The Chilean has been in immense form early this season in a false-9 position and will be back in action after playing no role in the League Cup on Tuesday.