Arsenal are preparing to welcome Sunderland to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Going into the game, Mikel Arteta’s side are in an excellent position, they have a six point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
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In their last game, the Gunners beat Chelsea 1-0 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. It puts them into the final at Wembley in March, for what could be their first of four potential trophies this season.
But how are they looking injury-wise, and how do their opponents Sunderland look heading into the game at the Emirates.
Sunderland injury news
Firstly, the Black Cats have three players ruled out, including former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder is dealing with an ankle injury, which looks set to keep him out for several weeks, meaning he’ll miss his return to the Emirates.
Furthermore, January signing Jocelin Ta Bi is also ruled out, as he isn’t at full fitness yet. He joined from Israeli side Maccabi Netanya, but is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Finally, Bertrand Traore is also ruled out, as he is dealing with a knee injury, which he has nearly recovered from. He looks set to return next week, but the Arsenal game looks to be coming too soon.
Arsenal injury news
In terms of the Gunners, they will be without midfielder Mikel Merino first of all, as the Spaniard has been ruled out until May with an ankle injury. He could return before the end of the season, but won’t be available for long.
Bukayo Saka is also out of the Sunderland game, as he is set to miss around two weeks with a groin injury that he suffered in the warm up before the Gunners’ 4-0 win against Leeds last week. Max Dowman remains out too, as he is recovering from an ankle injury that he suffered in December, he is set to return in just over a weeks’ time.
Finally, captain Martin Odegaard missed the Gunners’ game against Chelsea in midweek, he is currently being assessed with a minor knock, and so he is listed as a doubt for Saturday.