Arsenal Rotate Four for Sunderland Clash After Napoli Victory

Arsenal arrive at Sunderland with a perfect record across their opening four competitive fixtures, having already defeated Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea, with the latter settled by a 2-1 derby victory at the Emirates Stadium. A win at the Stadium of Light would give the North London club 12 points from four league matches and a three-point advantage at the top of the domestic table over Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta has made four changes for tonight’s Premier League fixture, adjusting his team after a demanding European outing. David Raya remains in goal, while Riccardo Calafiori comes in at left-back for Piero Hincapie. Ben White continues at right-back, with Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães completing the central defensive pairing.

The match comes three days after Arsenal began their UEFA Champions League campaign in Italy with a 1-0 victory over Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Norwegian midfielder and club captain Martin Ødegaard scored the decisive second-half goal, and he keeps his attacking midfield role against Sunderland.

Declan Rice starts in midfield beside 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who returns to the starting eleven as Mikel Merino drops to the bench. Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimarães are also substitutes, with Guimarães still waiting for his first start for the club.

Two alterations have been made in the frontline. Christos Tzolis replaces Eberechi Eze on the left wing, while German international Kai Havertz takes over as the central forward from Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres. Bukayo Saka remains on the right, and Noni Madueke is among the substitutes.

Arsenal also have Jurriën Timber available in the matchday squad for the first time since the UEFA Champions League final after recovering from injury. Sunderland’s midfield, meanwhile, includes former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka, who spent seven seasons in North London between 2016 and 2023, made nearly 300 appearances and won two FA Cups with the Gunners.

Xhaka anchors the hosts’ midfield alongside Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée at the 49,000-capacity Stadium of Light. Sunderland line up with Robin Roefs behind a five-man defense of Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Kevin Danso and Reinildo Mandava, while Igor Angulo and Brian Brobbey lead the attack.

**Confirmed Team Lineups:**

**Arsenal XI:** David Raya (GK); Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Ødegaard; Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis, Kai Havertz.

*Substitutes:* Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Jurriën Timber, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Bruno Guimarães.

**Sunderland XI:** Robin Roefs (GK); Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Kevin Danso, Reinildo Mandava; Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fée; Igor Angulo, Brian Brobbey.

*Substitutes:* Melker Ellborg (GK), Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien, Omar Alderete, Timothée Pembélé Methalie, Montasser Talbi, Chris Rigg, David Datro Fofana, Wilson Isidor.