Trustees Mikel Arteta's On Tuesday night, they won their EFL Cup semi-final rematch against Chelsea at their home stadium, and so they will be back at Wembley for the first time in eight years. But there is virtually no room for celebration. At least not at the moment. For now all concentration must shift back to the Premier League, in which Arsenal welcome Sunderland to north London on Saturday. In the last league round at Elland Road, the footballers from the Emirates Stadium finally scored a full point in the league competition, so they need to follow up the away win with a home win. However, the newcomer from Sunderland will certainly not give their skin cheaply. The Gunners will face a tough battle for three points. However, Arsenal simply have no choice. The Gunners must win at home unconditionally, because they are currently in first place in the table, so the pair of Manchester City and Aston Villa are breathing down their necks.
Form
Arsenal are starting to get back to where they need to be in terms of results after a surprising league defeat to Manchester United. Sunderland have also picked up considerably in terms of results after their recent long run without a win. Current form and specific results of both teams can be found in the tables below.
Arsenal
| 📈 Current form: 🟢 🟢 🟢 🔴 🟢 |
| ⚽️ Results: Arsenal 1:0 Chelsea (EFL Cup), Leeds 0:4 Arsenal (PL), Arsenal 3:2 Kairat Almaty (CL), Arsenal 2:3 Manchester United (PL), Inter 1:3 Arsenal (CL) |
| 🏆 Premier League position: 1. (53 points) |
Chelsea
| 📈 Current form: 🟢 🔴 🟢 🟢 🔴 |
| ⚽️ Results: Sunderland 3:0 Burnley (PL), West Ham 3:1 Sunderland (PL), Sunderland 2:1 Crystal Palace (PL), Everton 1:2 after penalty Sunderland (FA Cup), Brentford 3:0 Sunderland (PL) |
| 🏆 Premier League position: 8th (36 points) |
Team and expected line-up
Mikel Arteta has no reason to hold back in lineup selection, so I expect Arsenal to field their strongest possible eleven for Saturday's game against Sunderland. In some positions there is not much to discuss, but elsewhere the competition is a bit higher, and so it is not certain who will end up getting the confidence from the first minute and who will instead start on the substitutes bench. The health of the players will certainly play a role in the line-up. The biggest question mark at the moment is over the team captain Martin Ødegaard.
Expected line-up
The first change will take place between the three poles, and the goal will return to the net David Raya. On the other hand, I don't expect many changes in the defensive four compared to the Chelsea game. To be specific, I think the only change will be on the left side of the defence, where he will return Riccardo Calafiori. The rest of the defence will start with the same line-up.
In the middle of the midfield we will definitely see two stalwarts in the form of Martin Zubimendi and Declana Rice. The question remains who will stand in front of them, in the position of the creator of the game. I daresay, assuming he's fully fit, it will be Martin Ødegaard. Mikel Arteta, as is his good habit, was vague about his captain's health at the pre-match press conference, but I personally think that the Norwegian footballer will be ready to start the match from the opening whistle. If not, there are several alternatives. The most natural choice is undoubtedly Eberechi Eze, but I certainly wouldn't rule out Kai Havertz. Let's see if Martin Ødegaard can get his act together or not.
As far as wing players go, I don't think there's much to discuss there. Considering Arsenal's lineup in the last game and the expected run of play against Sunderland, they shouldn't be missing from the starting lineup Noni Madueke and Leandro Trossard. At the tip of the attack, in my opinion. Gabriel Jesus will start this time, who should pose a big threat to Sunderland's burly stoppers with his style of play. Of course, one of the options is to deploy the pairing of Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres with the German footballer playing as a sub. However, I'm leaning more towards seeing the Brazilian striker in the starting lineup against Sunderland. But Martin Ødegaard's health and availability can change everything. In case the Arsenal captain is not able to start the game from the first minute, I would bet on Havertz and Gyökeres to start.
Absences
They won't play against Sunderland with 100% certainty Mikel Merino nor Bukayo Saka. According to available sources, everything indicates that he is still not definitely fit even Max Dowman. And that should hopefully be it as far as injured players are concerned. However, with the width of Arsenal's squad, it works out for me again, that not all players will fit into the roster. This time I'm guessing Mikel Arteta will miss Myles Lewis-Skelly, because he's got enough defenders at his disposal right now. On the other hand, as far as typical central midfielders are concerned, he certainly doesn't have that kind of choice. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's why I expect Christian Nørgaard, who is often left out of the nomination, will not be in the squad this time.
Opponent
| 🏟️ Stadium: Stadium of Light, Sunderland (capacity 48 707) |
| 👔 Manager: Regis Le Bris |
| 🧤GoalkeepersAnthony Patterson, Robin Roefs |
| 🛡️ DefendersOmar Alderete, Daniel Ballard, Dennis Cirkin, Lutsharel Geertruida, Trai Hume, Reinildo Mandava, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O'Nien |
| 🎯 Midfielders: Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fee, Christopher Rigg, Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Mayenda Eliezer, Romaine Mundle, Chamsdine Talbi, Bertrand Traore |
| ⚽️ ForwardsBrian Brobbey, Wilson Isidor |
Match
What to expect from the game itself? Arsenal, playing at home, will go into the game as clear favourites. Despite the Canaries taking the first game between the two sides took only a point at the Stadium of Light for a 2-2 draw, should, by all expectations, succeed this time. There are several key factors that point to this. Apart from the aforementioned home environment, the quality and breadth of the squad and the current form of experience also play into the hands of the North London side. On the other hand, Sunderland, which is characterized by a physically demanding concept of the game, will have nothing to lose at the Emirates Stadium.
From the point of view of the game image the home team should control the game for most of the match. Higher percentage of ball possession, territorial superiority and the associated higher number of finishes and ideally goals. This is exactly what Arsenal's game should offer. Sunderland, on the other hand, will certainly not come to north London to dictate the pace of the game. The most likely scenario is that the French manager's charges will base their tactics on a deep defensive block and quick counters. I believe that Mikel Arteta's charges will handle Sunderland in front of their own fans and confirm last week's league win from Elland Road. I predict Arsenal to win 2:0.
Next match
Mikel Arteta's charges will take the field again within the Premier League, but this time, unconventionally, already Thursday 12 February 2026 from 21:00 (CET). Specifically, Arsenal are waiting for a trip to Gtech Community Stadium, where he'll challenge the home team Brentford.
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
You might be interested in
- Arsenal Weekly | Vol. 1
- Wembley within reach, will Arsenal or Chelsea succeed?
- Will Arsenal break the league winless streak at Elland Road?
- Will Arsenal extend their 100% record in the Champions League?
- Finally at home, Arsenal host Manchester at the Emirates
Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.