Arsenal will come up against a familiar transfer target when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday night.
Malick Fofana made his first Sunderland start on Tuesday as Régis Le Bris rotated his entire side for the 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Hull City.
The 21-year-old only moved to the Stadium of Light for £30.8million on deadline day after Arsenal explored signing him.
ReadArsenal reported how Arsenal eventually walked away from the proposed Fofana deal despite Mikel Arteta holding talks with the Belgium international.
He could now line up against the Gunners less than two weeks later.
Malick Fofana gets Sunderland opportunity before Arsenal
Le Bris made 11 changes from the Sunderland side which drew 1-1 with Brentford when Hull visited the Stadium of Light.
Fofana was among them after previously coming off the bench against Brentford, with Sky Sports confirming he was handed his full debut against Hull.
Chemsdine Talbi eventually scored the only goal after 71 minutes as Sunderland progressed.
Fofana did not score, but his involvement gives Arteta another player to consider before Saturday.
Local Sunderland analysis from Roker Report felt the winger displayed his technical quality while still adjusting to the physical demands of English football.
That could make his potential battle with Arsenal’s full-backs particularly interesting.
Arsenal had assessed Fofana as a possible replacement after reshaping their attack during the summer.
However, the Gunners decided against meeting the conditions required to complete a deal and ultimately finished their £198.5million rebuild without another winger.
That decision formed part of ReadArsenal’s full Arsenal summer transfer-window verdict.
Fofana therefore provides an intriguing subplot on Saturday.
Arsenal supporters can find the Sunderland vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream and kick-off details ahead of the 8pm BST fixture.
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