The International break is finally over and Arsenal return to Premier League action tomorrow, with a busy schedule in no less than three competitions coming up over the next few weeks. First though, it’s Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, a team who have picked up just one point from their opening three fixtures – but with Di Canio at the helm, you can’t expect that run without a win to go on much longer.
Tomas Rosicky was the only casualty from International duty, as he picked up a thigh strain playing for Czech Republic. There were doubts over Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere’s fitness after both of them started for England twice and picked up knocks against Ukraine, however Arsene Wenger has said they are both fit. Because of Rosicky’s injury Mesut Özil looks like he will make his de but with a start against Sunderland.
Predicted Line-Up
Arsenal will hope they can carry on their good form before the International break. After a disastrous opening day at home to Aston Villa, the club have managed four wins in all competitions out of four. Two of those ensured Champions League football for the upcoming campaign and the other two were Premier League wins in London Derby’s. Who is our man to watch? Olivier Giroud. The striker has three league goals in as many games, and with Sunderland not being the tightest at the back, we are tipping the Frenchman to score again. He’s 7/2 to score first with SkyBet, 9/2 to score a brace and 25/1 to net a hat-trick.
You could argue it is Arsenal’s strongest 11 that will line-up against Sunderland on Saturday, apart from perhaps the injured Mikel Arteta. However it’s the options from the bench that will particularly worry Arsenal fans, especially on the offensive front. The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are out with long term injuries leaving youngsters like Sanogo, Gnabry and Ryo the responsibility to change games from the bench – it’s certainly a massive oppurtunity for these young player, but the burden may be too heavy on the shoulders of these inexperienced lightweight forward who haven’t hit double figures in appearances for Arsenal between them.
We predict Arsenal to win 2-0, what’s your prediction? Make it below.