Former Gunner Dan Ballard is set to miss Sunderland’s upcoming game against Manchester City through injury, but he should be back in time to play against Arsenal.
BBC Sport Tyne & Wear report that they understand Dan Ballard is set for a spell on the sidelines, facing up to five weeks out with an injury.
As well as being bad news for Ballard and Sunderland, that timeline is also less than ideal for Arsenal.
Former Arsenal academy centre-back Ballard has been one of Sunderland’s key players, and a five-week absence would see him ruled out of their games against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham United, and possibly Burnley.
Yet Sunderland’s game against Arsenal is just over five weeks away, meaning the defender should be available for the game.
Arsenal fans won’t need much of a reminder that Ballard provided a goal and an assist in the reverse fixture against his old side, so his inclusion at the Emirates Stadium could be significant. As could his absence for Manchester City’s visit.
Up to this point, Sunderland have been unbeaten in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light, but Manchester City’s visit will certainly test their squad depth.
Sunderland are missing six players for the Africa Cup of Nations, one through suspension, and now two due to injury. By contrast, only one of the nine is likely to miss the trip to Arsenal in early February.