Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Sunderland, Mikel Arteta to make three changes

Arsenal will be eyeing a sixth-straight Premier League win when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this evening.

The Gunners are six points ahead of second-placed Manchester City and could extend their lead this weekend with a victory over the Black Cats.

Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta could make three changes to the starting line-up from the 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has kept seven clean sheets from the opening 10 league games. He will be eyeing another shutout against the Black Cats today.

In the backline, there will be one change from the victory over Slavia. Piero Hincapie made his full Champions League debut at left-back in midweek.

The Ecuadorian won 100 percent of his duels and tackles and earned praise from the manager. Despite this, he is expected to drop to the bench.

Riccardo Calafiori has been almost ever-present in the left-back role in the Premier League this term, registering one goal and a couple of assists.

The £35 million-rated star will be reinstated in the starting XI. Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will complete the defence as usual.

Similarly, Martin Zubimendi will return to partner Declan Rice in the centre of the park after serving a one-game European suspension on Tuesday.

Christian Norgaard made his first Champions League start this week. The Norwegian is poised to drop to the bench with Zubimendi eligible to play in the number six role.

Ethan Nwaneri was largely ineffective as the attacking midfielder in Prague before Eberechi Eze replaced him off the bench. The latter should be reinstated in the position.

Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are nailed-on starters on the right and left wing. Mikel Merino is set to continue as the makeshift striker for the Gunners today.

Merino scored a brace against Slavia as an emergency number nine. The Spaniard has netted nine goals and provided three assists playing upfront for Arsenal this year. He is poised to keep his place with Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ruled out.

Alongside the trio, the Gunners will be without Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke. The majority could return after the international break.