CM: Mathieu Flamini
How Arsenal missed the influential and hard-working defensive midfielder recently while he was out through suspension, although he will need to be alert against the counterattacking Black Cats on Saturday afternoon.
CM: Mikel Arteta
The cultured Spaniard is set to come straight back into the Arsenal starting lineup for the visit of Gus Poyet’s relegation-threatened outfit this weekend after missing his side’s 2-0 loss to Bayern in the Champions League in midweek through suspension.
RW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The England international has been Arsenal’s best player ever since he finally returned from a long layoff with a knee injury last month, with his space and eye for goal proving vital in the club’s push for honours.
LW: Santo Cazorla
The diminutive Spain international was given the hook in the first half against Bayern on Wednesday night following the dismissal of Szczesny in what was a purely tactical move by manager Arsene Wenger, but at least the wide man will now be fresh for the match with Sunderland.