Arsenal line-ups vs Sunderland as Mikel Merino decision made and Eberechi Eze role change

Arsenal face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, looking to take advantage of both Liverpool and Manchester City facing one another. Should the Gunners beat the Black Cats, they will guarantee extending their advantage over at least one of the two sides.

Gabriel Jesus, spotted in training, might not yet be back, and with Viktor Gyokeres missing, Mikel Merino is sure to be thrown into the spotlight once again. Mikel Arteta has several considerations to make ahead of his reunion with former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka.

So how will Arsenal line up for a game in which Arteta may be able to ring the changes and rest a couple of players with one eye on the international break? football.london's writers have looked at potential options for the Gunners boss...

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Tom Canton

There is one key reason why Martin Odegaard’s imminent return excites me most at the moment and that is so that Eberechi Eze can return to playing on the left. I have just felt that we get more from him there and centrally against these low blocks he isn’t as effective as the skipper.

Ethan Nwaneri I thought about choosing but he really struggled in Prague and I cannot drop Leandro Trossard at the moment who is having a brilliant season so far, providing another assist in the midweek fixture.

Elsewhere the team basically picks itself and the likes of Piero Hincapie and Christian Norgaard will be rotated out for their typical counterparts. Big game for Mikel Merino but with Gabriel Jesus back in training he could just have a shout in some of the upcoming selection considerations.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Sunderland: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Merino, Trossard

Ryan Taylor

Arsenal won't be underestimating Sunderland, particularly given a new English defensive record is at stake.

The back-five picks itself, then Declan Rice should be rejoined by Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze in midfield.

Mikel Merino is a nailed-on starter through the middle in attack, and Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard should provide creativity from the flanks.

It would not be a major, major surprise to see Piero Hincapie drafted in at left-back after his robust showing in Prague, but still, Riccardo Calafiori should return to the starting XI.

Arsenal are lacking a little bit of depth in reserve at this moment in time, but their side will be bolstered by the returns of several key players, all of whom will be pushing for starts after the international break.

Taylor’s Arsenal XI vs Sunderland: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Merino, Trossard

Kieran King

Arsenal's trip to Sunderland presents Mikel Arteta's side with one of their biggest challenges of the season so far. The Black Cats are unbeaten on home turf since returning to the Premier League and sit fourth in the table after 10 matches.

However, the Gunners are in excellent form themselves, having won each of their last 10 matches across all competitions and not conceded a goal in their previous eight.

Taking that into account, Arteta should revert to his tried and trusted XI from last Saturday’s win at Burnley, minus the injured Viktor Gyokeres, who is unavailable.

David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori start as the back-five, while Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze make up the midfield three.

Moving to the front line, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard continue on the right and left, while Mikel Merino comes in through the middle, with Gyokeres ruled out.

King’s Arsenal XI vs Sunderland: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Merino, Trossard