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

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football.london looks at the potential Arsenal changes made for their trip to Sunderland on Saturday

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.

Arteta did make some changes from the team that won at Burnley, which were not enforced, which will be expected to reverse again in the league. Ethan Nwaneri will return to the bench in favour of Eberechi Eze.

Piero Hincapie started his first match at left-back with Riccardo Calafiori being given some time off. Myles Lewis-Skelly did come off the bench on Tuesday, but the Italian will be the likeliest starter in the role on Saturday.

While Arteta has other options such as Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White, this is where the changes should end. The international break follows the trip to the northeast before three tough successive matches against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

While there is little that Arteta can do to protect his team while they play away with their national sides, he has no need to rotate as they reunite with former Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka on the weekend.

It will certainly be a challenge with the Black Cats sitting fourth in the table. It is also worth noting Arsenal can break a record for clean sheets should they manage to add a ninth successive shutout to their run.

Changed Arsenal XI vs Sunderland – Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Merino, Trossard