Arsenal and Sunderland have confirmed their teams for tonight’s Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light.
Arsenal have confirmed their team to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with Mikel Arteta naming the same XI for this evening’s Premier League fixture as the one that beat Chelsea last weekend.
The Gunners arrive looking to extend their perfect start to the league season, while Sunderland will hope to frustrate the champions on home soil once again.
There is good news in that Jurrien Timber has returned to the Arsenal squad after his groin injury. He is on the bench for the first time this season. Cristhian Mosquera, however, misses out again.
Sunderland starting XI: Roefs, Meunier, Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fe, Angulo, Brobbey
Sunderland bench: Ellborg, Hume, O’Nein, Alderete, Methalie, Talbi, Rigg, Fofana, Isidor
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Tzolis, Havertz
Arsenal bench: Kepa, Hincapie, Eze, Timber, Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Bruno
Sunderland vs Arsenal match officials
The match officials have already been confirmed, with John Brooks appointed as referee. Stuart Atwell is on VAR.
This season, Brooks is running at about 4.8 yellows a match, above average, despite giving an average 21.7 fouls per game. He took charge of three Arsenal games, with Arsenal winning both at home and drawing 1-1 at Brentford.
Brooks was referee for two Sunderland games last season, both away and both against Everton. They drew the first 1-1 in the FA Cup before beating the Toffees 3-1 in the league.
Referee: John Brooks
VAR: Stuart Atwell
Assistant referee 1: James Mainwaring
Assistant referee 2: Wade Smith
Fourth official: Elliott Bell
Assistant VAR: Edward Smith