Mixed messages from Mikel, so who might return this evening?

Morning all.

Last fixture before the international break this evening as Mikel Arteta and his players go up against Granit Xhaka and his Sunderland teammates. It’s not just Xhaka who has history with Arsenal though  as Daniel Ballard joined the club as an 8 year old before making a permanent move to Sunderland in 2022 when he was still just 22 years old. Granit, well his Arsenal career was very up and down but I think it’s fair to say that his better years were post December 2019 under Mikel Arteta. Mind you, I still haven’t forgiven him for almost single-handedly losing us points against Liverpool. 2-0 up, the Anfield crowd silenced before his clash with Alexander-Arnold woke them up. The game ended 2-2.. Still, all water under the bridge now I guess.

Sunderland really are the surprise package of the season so far as they sit joint third in the table. Their standout results have come against Brentford who they beat 2-1 at home on the opening day of the season, a draw at Selhurst Park, a 2-1 defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but, their last two games have been a defeat at Old Trafford and a draw at home against Everton last weekend. I watched some of that game just to see what all the fuss over Sunderland is about and honestly, Everton could easily have been 3-0 up before Xhaka scored. Grealish hit the woodwork and Thierno Barry missed an absolute sitter from a few yards out. Following that, Sunderland looked the more likely to take the three points but they didn’t.

Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke on all things Sunderland:

No Premier League side has a higher duel success rate than Sunderland, so in what is likely to be a hostile atmosphere, we can expect Le Bris’ side to be strong, forceful and aggressive. At the outset at least, the hosts will want to turn it into a physical battle.

The Black Cats have quality on the ball too, with Xhaka a revelation in central midfield. Unusually, he has been used on the right of a midfield pairing in recent weeks, oozing quality with his short and long-range passing. It would also put him in regular contact with Declan Rice in a duel between two of the division’s most in-form midfielders.

Tactically, we can’t be sure which formation Le Bris will deploy. He started the campaign with a 4-3-3 that evolved into a 4-2-3-1, but in their last two matches, the Wearsiders have played in a 3-4-2-1 that becomes 5-4-1 out of possession. Given how well we are playing at the moment, I sense that Sunderland will go with a back three once again. If they don’t, it will be a sign they plan to be positive in their approach.

We must look out for Nordi Mukiele’s long throws [above], and mark Hale End academy graduate Dan Ballard very closely as he has had nine headed shots in 2025/26, second only to Erling Haaland. The diminutive Enzo Le Fee is skilful in wide areas, and our shooting will also need to be clinical against Robin Roefs, who has an 81% save accuracy, preventing 2.7 extra goals.

I never thought I’d see Ballard and Haaland in the same sentence when it comes to headed goal scoring opportunities. lol

Centre-back Omar Alderete is a doubt for the home team whilst Habib Diarra, Ajibola Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Romaine Mundle, Leo Hjelde and Habib Diarra are ruled out too.

Mikel Arteta’s press conference was a bit odd because in one breath he said there are no additions to the squad which travelled to Prague but then when pushed on Odegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyokeres and Martinelli not being available, he replied:

I cannot confirm all of that, but you are not far off.

So could we see one or more of the above players in the squad this evening? Gyokeres perhaps. We will see soon enough.

Sunderland haven’t lost a game in front of their own fans this season but hopefully, that will all change this evening. As well as they may be doing, this fixture is one which Arsenal really should be winning regardless of how tough the challenge to do so might be. It’s fixtures like this one which can make a big difference come the end of the season. 

Catch up in the comments.