Football Update: Arsenal aiming to continue their unbeaten run (Part 2)
Last weekend, Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs was given the first start of the season for the Gunners in the Premier League fixture against Bolton Wanderers. The English left back replaced Gael Clichy who was rested for the upcoming UEFA Champions League.
Despite of the impressive performance by the young English defender, Gael Clichy is expected to start against Sunderland.
Similarly, Bacary Sagna was also rested in the last English Premier League fixture and Emmanuel Ebou started in place of him. However, Bacary Sagna will be starting for the Gunners against the Black Cats.
Last season, it was all Manuel Almunia who was rightly blamed for costing Arsenal twenty one unnecessary points. There were rumours of Arsenal finding a replacement for their number one goalkeeper but Arsene Wenger failed to find one and now Gunners have
to look forward to their veteran number one keeper to perform well. Alumunia performance in the last four fixtures was satisfactory. It will allow Alumunia to keep his place in goal and hope to continue his solid start to the season,
Arsenal are gifted with many midfield options. In the midfield, Alexander Song and Cesc Fabregas are sure starters for the Gunners, which leave out only one slot for the rest. Samir Nasri, Denilson, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere are all available for the
match.
Abou Diaby was injured last weekend against Bolton. In the absence of Abou Diaby, the English midfielder Jack Wilshere excelled for Arsenal in the game against Braga, with the back heel assist to Mouraune Chamakh, his best involvement of the game. Jack Wilshere
will hope to start again but Arsene Wenger might decide to go for the experience of Denilson in this tough fixture.
Meanwhile, Arsenal skipper, Cesc Fabregas, has warned the Gunners against complacency against Sunderland. Cesc was quoted saying that Arsenal made defensive error in the Bolton fixture and expects Gunners not to commit such errors in future if they want
to win the Premier League title. The skipper certainly has his heart set on winning a title for Gunners and expects his team mates not to relax and make errors against Sunderland.
Arsenal defenders, Clichy and Sagna have praised the form of their skipper. Both defenders gone on record to say that their captain is back to his best form and can win a trophy for them this year. Clichy said
"It's not easy to for him (Fabregas) to forget what happened and I think he has shown everyone that once he is fit and is ready to play then he is one of the best so we're glad to have him and I hope he stays here for many years."
Arsenal’s most consistent right forward, Andrei Arshavin is also expected to retain his place in the starting eleven after an impressive performance against Braga where he scored a goal and gave two assists. The Russian skipper has scored twice in four matches
in this season and is expected to increase his goals on the weekend.
Moreover, the talented French midfielder, Samir Nasri made his return from injury in UEFA Champions League fixture and played the whole of the match to prove his match fitness. However, Tomas Rosicky has been impressive so far, thus providing Arsene Wenger
with a selection dilemma. Arsene winger might also go for Emmaunal Ebou as a winger because of his strength and pace.
Mouraone Chamakh will surely start for Arsenal as the lone striker. Chamakh is now very well adjusted to the Premiership and the Arsenal style of game play. Another talented striker Carlos Vela, who scored in his both substitute appearances, would be warming
the bench.
Arsenal will look to continue their unbeaten form against The Balck Cats, who have caused problems for Arsenal in the past. A win here would ensure that they hold on to the second position. If Arsenal does win against Sunderland, they will be regarded as
strong title contenders based on their superb start to the season.
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