David Raya and Kai Havertz will return to the Arsenal starting lineup when they host Sunderland at the Emirates on Saturday.
Arsenal will be eager to continue the march towards the 2025/26 Premier League title when they welcome Sunderland to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Mikel Arteta has no new issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Spanish tactician has been sweating over the fitness of Martin Odegaard (knock) and Bukayo Saka (hip). The latter sustained his injury during the warm-up routines ahead of the Premier League game against Leeds United last weekend.
Additionally, Mikel Merino (foot) and Max Dowman (ankle) remain in the treatment room. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Saka and Odegaard. The Spanish tactician also revealed that Jurrien Timber would be available to take on Sunderland this weekend.
The Arsenal manager said, “His [Saka] hip is getting much better, hopefully very soon he will be with us; very soon. Martin again is getting better, it will be a matter of days we believe.”
“Obviously it’s a big blow. Mikel offers something unique in the team but he’s going to be out for months unfortunately with a very rare injury. We need to support him, make sure that he’s very connected with the team because he can still add a lot of value to the players and the staff and keep him around.”
Meanwhile, Arteta commented on Kai Havertz’s recent exploits after returning from a long-term knee injury. The Arsenal boss said, “We are really happy to have him. Again, he offers something very different to the team and to be able to mix it up. For him to show the level that he’s shown immediately after such a long injury is very impressive so it’s great.”
David Raya will replace Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Sunderland on Saturday. The backline will feature Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in the double pivot. Kai Havertz will reprise the no. 10 role, with Leandro Trossard and Noni Madueke being the two wide attackers. Finally, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the home side against Sunderland on Saturday. So, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli will be among the backup options on the bench for the Gunners.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Trossard; Gyokeres
