•Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are expected to be without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard when they take on Sunderland in the Premier League later today.
The Gunners are once again six points clear at the summit of English football and with Aston Villa and Manchester City away to Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively this weekend, that gap could be extended again.
Mikel Arteta was without Saka and Odegaard when the Gunners booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with victory over Chelsea on Tuesday night, reports Saturday Independent.
Odegaard was a surprise absence from the squad with Arteta revealing ahead of kick-off his skipper had ‘felt a niggle’ in the weekend victory over Leeds United.
Saka meanwhile withdrew from the starting XI that afternoon at Elland Road just minutes before kick-off with a hip injury, sitting out of the second-leg against Chelsea last night.
Arteta revealed yesterday that Odegaard is ‘still a few days’ away and while Saka is doing ‘much better’, this weekend is expected to come too soon for him.
Jurrien Timber meanwhile missed training on Thursday but is ‘fine’ to play today, according to his manager.
Arsenal however will be without Mikel Merino for a prolonged spell with the midfielder to undergo surgery on his foot.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Jesus, Trossard
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Le Fee, Diarra, Sadiki, Talbi; Brobbey
Arsenal did not need to over-exert themselves on the attacking front in midweek, and having torn apart a five-man Leeds wall with ease, Arteta’s men should have no real issues dishing out the same treatment to Sunderland.
The Black Cats’ feats this term have been commendable, but their problems on the road cannot be overlooked, and they have also given up the third-most shots in the Premier League this season – even if they have conceded just 26 goals.
