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Ben White and Kai Havertz are predicted to start for Arsenal against Sunderland in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Emirates
Arsenal take on Sunderland today, looking to move nine points clear of their Premier League title rivals Manchester City, who face a testing trip to Anfield. It could be a huge weekend for the Gunners if they’re able to do what they couldn’t at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season and win while hoping Liverpool do them a massive favour.
The title race is reaching the critical stage, and frustratingly for Mikel Arteta, when it looked like he finally had a fully fit squad, he lost Mikel Merino to a long-term injury. There are also doubts over Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber who all missed the training session on Thursday.
The win over Chelsea which put Arsenal into the Carabao Cup final next month will have given a major boost to morale and now that needs to be turned into further momentum. But with some of the key players doubts, it leaves the line-up a bit trickier to predict.
With that said, here is how football.london believes Arteta will select for his Arsenal starting XI:
David Raya
Back into the side after sitting out, as expected, the cup action but will be in focus when it comes to the final and whether he will be selected to play between the sticks then.
Ben White
With there being a few question marks over Jurrien Timber, despite Arteta saying the Dutchman is “fine” there has been a show of extra cautiousness regarding player fitness, meaning Ben White has a good shot of coming in.
William Saliba
The Frenchman has been such an imperious figure all season and was arguably the man of the match against Chelsea, securing yet another clean sheet.
Gabriel
Was unlucky not to score in midweek against Chelsea after seeing two good chances fail to test Sanchez, but his defensive work was on point.
Riccardo Calafiori
Piero Hincapie has been in great form, but with Brentford away on Thursday, this feels like more of a game for Riccardo Calafiori, especially in order to get him some important minutes.
Martin Zubimendi
The Spanish midfielder continues at the base of the three, and with Martin Odegaard still a doubt, this has put more creative burden on him to progress the play.
Declan Rice
Making his 301 st league appearance now, goals will be on Rice’s mind as he needs to get his numbers up even more in that area.
Kai Havertz
What a brilliant moment against Chelsea, and it has perhaps made the number ten role something of a new forte after starting there against Leeds, and again he might be wanted, meaning Eze drops to the bench after a quiet game against Chelsea.
Noni Madueke
Better at Leeds, less effective against Chelsea, but the winger covering for Bukayo Saka is continuing to grow and impress in games.
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swede will be looking to make it two in two league games after scoring at Leeds United, and now can hope to find the net against Sunderland.
Leandro Trossard
After earning a bit of a rest, the Belgian can come into the team fresh and hope to build on his wonder strike he smashed in at Sunderland earlier in the campaign.
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