Mikel Arteta faces a major midfield decision as Arsenal prepare to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night.
The Gunners return to Premier League action after Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Napoli, when Arteta rotated several members of the side that beat Chelsea last weekend.
Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis are all strong candidates to return.
The biggest debate may now surround Bruno Guimarães and Myles Lewis-Skelly alongside Declan Rice.
David Raya
There is no debate in goal.
Raya has started every competitive Arsenal match this season and should continue as the Gunners chase a fourth straight Premier League victory.
Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori
White is available despite appearing to struggle late in Arsenal’s victory in Naples.
That is important because Jurriën Timber remains a doubt.
Arteta said Timber had been training with the squad for several days and “looks in good shape”, but Arsenal will make a late decision over whether he is ready to return.
Cristhian Mosquera is also approaching a comeback, although Arteta suggested the Sunderland game may arrive slightly too soon.
The full picture is covered in ReadArsenal’s latest Arsenal injury news vs Sunderland.
With William Saliba still unavailable, Konsa and Gabriel should therefore continue at centre-back.
Calafiori is our pick to return on the left after being rested from the starting XI against Napoli.
Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly
This is now the hardest decision in the team.
Guimarães returned from his recent knock with a second-half appearance in Naples and is pushing to make his first Premier League start for Arsenal.
The Standard expects Arteta to start the former Newcastle captain alongside Rice.
However, the Guardian currently predicts Guimarães among Arsenal’s substitutes.
We are sticking with Lewis-Skelly.
The teenager started alongside Rice in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea and gives Arteta the flexibility to alter his midfield structure both in and out of possession.
Guimarães is a genuine possibility, particularly after getting more minutes against Napoli, but Arsenal have no need to rush him back into a demanding away start.
Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Christos Tzolis
Saka and Ødegaard should both start.
Ødegaard is in excellent form after scoring the winner against both Chelsea and Napoli.
Tzolis is our choice on the left.
Eberechi Eze started in Naples, but Tzolis came from the bench and helped create Ødegaard’s winner.
The Greece international also started against Chelsea and should be fresh enough to return at Sunderland.
Kai Havertz
Havertz should regain the number-nine shirt.
Viktor Gyökeres was handed an opportunity from the start in Naples but struggled to become involved, registering only nine touches before Havertz replaced him.
ReadArsenal has already examined why Havertz currently has the edge over Gyökeres in Arteta’s striker hierarchy.
Havertz also scored against Chelsea and played an important role in Ødegaard’s winner.
Unless Arteta believes Gyökeres is better suited to Sunderland’s physical back line, Havertz deserves to return.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Sunderland
Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Ødegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
That would restore much of the Arsenal XI which defeated Chelsea before Arteta rotated his side in Naples.
The major alternative is Guimarães replacing Lewis-Skelly.
There is now clear disagreement among national predictions over that position, making it the selection call to watch when the confirmed teams are announced on Saturday evening.
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has promised to make the game difficult for Arsenal, while former Newcastle captain Guimarães could expect a particularly hostile reception if he does feature.
Supporters can find the full Sunderland vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream and 8pm kick-off details ahead of the game.
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