The Arspective: A preview to Arsenal vs Sunderland

Arsenal put six vs Braga,

It was another “six-for” for the gunners, already their second of the season. And we are talking about a serious team over here. Not many people have heard of Braga, but this is a team which had beaten Sevilla and Celtic in their Champions League qualifiers and finished above Porto in Portugal’s first division. It was yet another clinical performance and superb beginning to the Champions League campaign by the gunners as they look ahead to their second toughest game of the season thus far (toughesat being the Liverpool game).

Jack Wilshere is having a good time in the Arsenal shirt

Injuries and current form means that the team largely picks itself. Vermaelen should be back for this one, which means Koscielny could go back to the bench, as Squilacci has looked the more solid one. The French duo of Clichy and Sagna will complete the backline. Obviously, Song will sit in front of the back four along with Fabregas. These two have been our best players so far this season.

Wilshere has had a terrific season so far, but I think he might go back to the bench this time. To expect an 18-yr old to put in 270 minutes inside seven days may be asking for too much. Arshavin may also return to the bench as looked a bit jaded in the game against Braga. The Russian has come close to score a lot of times and thankfully for him and for us, he scored one against Braga. And his celebration of that goal was not the traditional finger-on-lip one, which tells me that the man was more relieved than joyous after scoring this one. Diaby still looks to be out.

Chamakh had an excellent game against Braga, his link up play, ability to hold the ball was terrific and he should start against Sunderland. I also expect Eboue to start in the midfield to give us a bit more physical presence and steel against a Sunderland side who will look to get into our minds with crunching tackles.

Here is the side I expect tomorrow.

AlmuniaSagna Vermaelen Squilacci ClichySongEboue Nasri RosickyFabregasChamakh

I expect a tough game against Sunderland, but we should win this by 3-1