Arsenal press conference LIVE: Mikel Arteta on Sunderland, Xhaka, injury latest, team news

5 hours ago 1

Mikel Arteta faces the media ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Sunderland. The Gunners will look to make history if they succeed in keeping a ninth straight clean sheet across all competitions.

There is also the narrative of the reunion with Granit Xhaka which the Arsenal boss is sure to be asked about going into the game. The Swiss midfielder has already spoken of his excitement at facing his old club.

Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres are expected to miss the match, but Arteta could have more insights into the Swedish striker and the results of the further scans and tests he alluded to before the win over Slavia Prague.

You can hear everything Arteta has to say on all that and much more from football.london's Arsenal reporter, Tom Canton , in our live blog below.

10:14Tom Canton

Arsenal summer signing explains secret clean sheet tactic as Sunderland admission made

Christian Norgaard insists clean sheets have become part of Arsenal culture as they look to break a record at Sunderland on Saturday.

Their 3-0 win over Slavia Prague brought about an eighth successive victory to nil for the Gunners. Should they manage to repeat the feat for a ninth time at the Stadium of Light, they will eclipse the Preston side of 1889 and the Liverpool side of 1920.

Asked whether clean sheets come up a lot in training and in conversation between players, Norgaard highlighted how it’s more ingrained than that. “No, I think it's just something we want to... I don't know, it should be part of the culture without us speaking too much about it," the summer signing from Brentford said.

Read the full story here.

09:56Tom Canton

Mikel Arteta can make three changes for Arsenal vs Sunderland including midfield decision

Injuries have sadly taken a hold of the Premier League leaders as Arsenal prepare to travel to Sunderland. Despite missing as many as eight players for their trip to Prague for the Champions League victory over Slavia Praha, Mikel Arteta’s squad coped well, scoring three goals.

Without any of their senior recognised centre-forward options, the choices remain limited. Thankfully, Mikel Merino’s two goals in the Czech capital will have certainly given confidence to the side that, without them, the Spaniard can again step into the void and perform.

Martin Zubimendi also came off with a problem like Gyokeres in the last league match and was not involved in the European clash. However, he did train before the side travelled to the continent, but was not involved, due to suspension, and he will expect to return to the side at the Stadium of Light.

Read the full story here.

09:31Tom Canton

Arsenal get Viktor Gyokeres injury blessing as Mikel Arteta prepares for four-player boost

The loss of so many players at the start of the season for Arsenal is no doubt frustrating at the very least for Mikel Arteta. Three senior centre-forwards were out of action as the Gunners put three past Slavia Prague on Tuesday night.

Mikel Merino was again the unorthodox choice to lead the attack. Now it has been revealed that Viktor Gyokeres has not been called up for the Swedish national side having suffered a muscular injury against Burnley.

This could, however, come as something as a blessing in disguise for the Gunners. football.london understands that fears over something more serious for the striker have simmered and there is even hope that he could return for the first match following the international break, the North London Derby.

Read the full story here.