LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 5, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Predicted Starters To Face Sunderland
Arsenal got back to winning way at home to West Brom on Thursday, and now face a desperate Sunderland. Three points are needed to get back into third place.
With so little time to recover after their stellar 2-0 win against West Brom on Thursday, Arsenal are do to take a trip up to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday. Arsenal were in prime form against the Baggies, even with the distraction of a potential 75th minute walkout by Arsenal fans looming over their heads.
Alexis Sanchez is back to his usual self, scoring both of Arsenal’s goals to secure a much needed three points, and to tentatively fire Arsenal back into third place. Sunderland are currently sitting in the relegation zone, but are coming off a huge 3-0 win against Norwich, who sit just one point above them in the table.
Arsenal will be hard pressed to defend against a desperate team, especially a team that boasts the talented likes of Jermaine Defoe and Fabio Borini up front. Arsene Wenger may opt to play if safe and bolster his midfield by slotting in Francis Coquelin alongside Mohamed Elneny.
Up front, Wenger could choose to give youngster Alex Iwobi another shot in the starting lineup after he impressed yet again against West Brom. Whichever team Wenger fields, Arsenal must be wary of facing a team that finds themselves in a relegation battle.
Here is how the Gunners could line up on Sunday.
Petr Cech looked a bit shaky at times against West Brom, but that doesn’t take away from and overall solid first season with Arsenal. He’s our best keeper, so naturally, he is in my starting XI."
> 
GK
Petr Cech
33, Czech
Petr Cech looked a bit shaky at times against West Brom, but that doesn’t take away from and overall solid first season with Arsenal. He’s our best keeper, so naturally, he is in my starting XI.
Hector Bellerin was voted into the PFA Team of the Year, and you could see exactly why he was given that accolade with his performance on Thursday. For a right-back, he was surprisingly up in Arsenal’s playmaking throughout the match, and could’ve even had a couple of goals himself.Hector Bellerin was voted into the PFA Team of the Year, and you could see exactly why he was given that accolade with his performance on Thursday. For a right-back, he was surprisingly up in Arsenal’s playmaking throughout the match, and could’ve even had a couple of goals himself."
> RB Hector Bellerin
24, Spain
Per Mertesacker was missed in Arsenal’s starting lineup, and showed that with a solid defensive performance versus West Brom. The captain needs to string together a couple of decent performances in order to keep his spot- and to keep Gabriel on the bench.Per Mertesacker was missed in Arsenal’s starting lineup, and showed that with a solid defensive performance versus West Brom. The captain needs to string together a couple of decent performances in order to keep his spot- and to keep Gabriel on the bench."
> CB Per Mertesacker
4, Germany
Laurent Koscielny will have his hands full on Sunday, given that he will be tasked with marking Jermaine Defoe. Will need to be twice as disciplined at the back if Mertesacker cannot keep pace with the Englishman.Laurent Koscielny will have his hands full on Sunday, given that he will be tasked with marking Jermaine Defoe. Will need to be twice as disciplined at the back if Mertesacker cannot keep pace with the Englishman."
> CB Laurent Koscielny
6, France
Like Bellerin, Nacho Monreal was able to keep order at the back for Arsenal while contributing to the offence. He probably won’t be able to do the same against Sunderland, as he will be busy trying to keep the likes of Fabio Borini quiet on that left flank.Like Bellerin, Nacho Monreal was able to keep order at the back for Arsenal while contributing to the offence. He probably won’t be able to do the same against Sunderland, as he will be busy trying to keep the likes of Fabio Borini quiet on that left flank."
> LB Nacho Monreal
18, Spain
Not sure what to make of Francis Coquelin’s benching against West Brom, but you’d have to think that he will come back into the fray against Sunderland. Ramsey likely won’t start back to back games so soon after returning from injury, so Wenger will probably slot the Frenchman into that right midfield positionNot sure what to make of Francis Coquelin’s benching against West Brom, but you’d have to think that he will come back into the fray against Sunderland. Ramsey likely won’t start back to back games so soon after returning from injury, so Wenger will probably slot the Frenchman into that right midfield position"
> RM Francis Coquelin
34, France
The more I see Mohamed Elneny play, the more I think that Wenger deserves a lot more credit for his signing. He may not be the world-class Viera-type holding midfielder that Arsenal fans so desperately wanted, but you can’t argue that he is currently getting the job done for Arsenal in that positionThe more I see Mohamed Elneny play, the more I think that Wenger deserves a lot more credit for his signing. He may not be the world-class Viera-type holding midfielder that Arsenal fans so desperately wanted, but you can’t argue that he is currently getting the job done for Arsenal in that position"
> LM Mohamed Elneny
35, Egypt
Is there any player that excites Arsenal fans more right now? Alex Ixobi is the silver lining in another dark and dismal season for the club, but with an up and coming player like the Nigerian in our ranks, the future certainly looks bright. Deserves another start to gain experience as the season winds down.Is there any player that excites Arsenal fans more right now? Alex Ixobi is the silver lining in another dark and dismal season for the club, but with an up and coming player like the Nigerian in our ranks, the future certainly looks bright. Deserves another start to gain experience as the season winds down."
> LW Alex Iwobi
45, Nigeria
Alexis Sanchez is red hot again- and its just the right time for him to be hitting form. Two stellar goals against West Brom on Thursday has worked wonders for the Chilean’s confidence. Arsenal will need him to keep hitting the scoresheet if they are to have any hope of securing Champions League football next season.Alexis Sanchez is red hot again- and its just the right time for him to be hitting form. Two stellar goals against West Brom on Thursday has worked wonders for the Chilean’s confidence. Arsenal will need him to keep hitting the scoresheet if they are to have any hope of securing Champions League football next season."
> RW Alexis Sanchez
17, Chile
Again, Mesut Ozil was all over the pitch on Thursday, orchestrating the play and setting up Olivier Giroud and Sanchez with all kinds of scoring opportunities. Despite their struggles this season, Sunderland are a bit tougher defensively than West Brom, so Ozil will have his work cut out for him on Sunday.Again, Mesut Ozil was all over the pitch on Thursday, orchestrating the play and setting up Olivier Giroud and Sanchez with all kinds of scoring opportunities. Despite their struggles this season, Sunderland are a bit tougher defensively than West Brom, so Ozil will have his work cut out for him on Sunday."
> CAM Mesut Ozil
11, Germany
Olivier Giroud didn’t do much against West Brom after getting the start from Wenger, so you’d have to think that the Frenchman will be dropped in favour of Danny Welbeck for this game. Theo Walcott has completely fallen out of favour with Wenger, so Welbeck is the the most viable choice up front for Arsenal.Olivier Giroud didn’t do much against West Brom after getting the start from Wenger, so you’d have to think that the Frenchman will be dropped in favour of Danny Welbeck for this game. Theo Walcott has completely fallen out of favour with Wenger, so Welbeck is the the most viable choice up front for Arsenal."
> ST Danny Welbeck
23, England
