Premier League 2025-2026: Arsenal-Sunderland, the likely lineups

Arsenal returns to the Emirates Stadium to face Sunderland, with the goal of consolidating their Premier League lead and continuing their run toward a title that has been missing for more than two decades. Mikel Arteta’s team is coming off a 4-0 thrashing of Leeds and a late success over Chelsea that gave the Gunners the Carabao Cup final. Enthusiasm is high, but the memory of the 2-2 draw in the first leg against Sunderland is a reminder that Regis Le Bris’s lineup has shown it can give anyone a hard time and comes to London after the convincing 3-0 win at Burnley that relaunched it in the standings.

Arteta must deal with the conditions of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, both of whom were absent against Chelsea. The England national looks set to forfeit, while a small chance of recovery remains open for the captain. Merino and Dowman are also out, with the coach called upon to choose a center forward: Gyokeres did not convince in the cup and could make way for Gabriel Jesus or a more advanced than usual Havertz.

Sunderland has built its identity on intensity and organization, qualities that have allowed the Black Cats to surprise away from home, with a success at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea and a draw at Anfield with Liverpool. The heaviest absence is that of the day’s ex Granit Xhaka, stopped by an ankle problem, while Traoré and Ta Bi remain in doubt. Le Bris could confirm the eleven that overwhelmed Burnley, with Brobbey as an offensive reference and a five-man defensive block that has given excellent responses so far.

Probable lineups

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Trossard; Jesus. All. Arteta.

SUNDERLAND (5-4-1): Roefs; Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Sadiki, Le Fée, Talbi; Brobbey. All. Le Bris.