Watching Arsenal in recent years we have been fortunate – to some extent – to see the 37th or 38th game of the season still have meaning.

This year, however, every game at the end of the season has felt a bit like a dead rubber.

We still have an FA Cup Final to play and Sunderland, our opponents on Wednesday, have not yet secured Premier League safety. Some rotation in our side should see players vying for a place at Wembley, and we may see another driven performance in the league before the season is out.

Avoiding questions about potential moves for Petr Cech or Raheem Sterling in Tuesday’s press conference, there’s no doubt what Arsène Wenger’s mind is on.

“We have a possibility to take six points but it will not be enough if Man City win the last game.

“The only chance we have is to win our games,” said Wenger.

“We would like to finish first but at the moment that is mathematically impossible so you want to do as well as you can.”

There is clearly some motivation left ahead of these final two games of the season, and even if the attitude is relaxed Wenger’s approach to these games doesn’t seem to be.

“We have to put a high rhythm into this game and play with a high level of energy to win the game.”

Team News

With that in mind some changes, particularly bringing in some players who tend to play with a high rhythm, are likely. Wenger hinted at it before the game at Old Trafford and having won a point there it wouldn’t be a surprise.

One change that could be forced is at the back, with Laurent Koscielny struggling with ‘flu.

Any changes still wouldn’t include Mathieu Debuchy, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Danny Welbeck.

Debuchy will return to full training this week and, despite making progress, Wenger has ruled both Englishmen out of the game in midweek.

The last six Premier League games have seen Arsenal use the same 11 players from the start.

“We had positive games and positive results, and there is no need to change.

“I believe we have a stability at the moment that brings us as well good cohesion in the team.”

That cohesion is important but you still get the impression that Wenger is eager to fit Jack Wilshere back into the side.

Possible XI: Ospina; Bellerín, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal; Ramsey, Wilshere; Walcott, Özil, Alexis; Giroud.

The Opposition

Fighting for survival, Dick Advocaat’s side won’t lay down for us on Wednesday night. The Black Cats need one more point to secure their status as a Premier League team next season and their final game is another trip to the capital to face Chelsea on Sunday.

Wenger is expecting the typical sort of game we see from a side at the bottom half of the table at Emirates Stadium.

“I expect them to be well organised defensively, sound at the back, and use all the counter-attacks and set-pieces they have to score goals.”

After a turbulent start to Dick Advocaat’s reign the ship seems to have been somewhat steadied on Wearside. A derby victory over Newcastle was followed by a shambolic display against Crystal Palace. Since then four games unbeaten have brought eight points, including impressive wins over Southampton and Everton.

Over the course of the season no goalkeeper has been much busier than Costel Pantilimon, and only West Brom have scored fewer goals from open play.

Jordi Gómez is set to miss out but Advocaat can call on most of his preferred players for this game.

Possible XI: Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, O’Shea, van Aanholt; Larsson, Rodwell, Cattermole, Wickham; Defoe, Graham.

Prelude

With third place secured this season, now more than ever, feels like one big prelude to the FA Cup Final. Let’s be honest, the past few games and the next two don’t really mean anything to us.

However – especially after two draws and a loss in our last four games – it is important to get back to winning ways before the end of the month.

“It is very important for us to go into the FA Cup Final with a winning mode and good confidence level,” said Wenger.

“These games are under huge pressure so it is important we have a good level of confidence.”

Wednesday and Sunday may not have a lot riding on them, but we will feel a hell of a lot more relaxed at Wembley if we travel there on the back of two good performances.