Sunderland v Arsenal

Saturday 9th February, 15:00pm
Stadium of Light
Barclays Premier League

Sunderland vs Arsenal team news: Wenger left short in defence
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... ws-1593905
By Mirror Football - 8th Feb 2013

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny faces a fitness test on his calf injury ahead of tomorrow's trip to Sunderland, but captain Thomas Vermaelen (ankle) has been ruled out.

Gunners midfielders Aaron Ramsey (calf) and Francis Coquelin (hamstring) should be available, along with England forward Theo Walcott (foot).

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho is back from the African Nations Cup, but is not yet expected to feature. Left-back Kieran Gibbs remains out with a thigh problem.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger admits Jack Wilshere could be in danger of burnout.

Provisional squad: Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Podolski, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diaby, Jenkinson, Rosicky, Miquel, Coquelin.

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Sunderland winger James McClean is almost certainly out of tomorrow's game with Arsenal.

The 23-year-old, who has not started the last three games, injured his ankle on Republic of Ireland duty in midweek and is unlikely to make the game.

However, defender Carlos Cuellar could be back from the hamstring problem which has sidelined him since January 5, although the Gunners' trip to the Stadium of Light could come too soon for midfielder Lee Cattermole (knee), despite his return to training.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Westwood, Bardsley, Rose, O'Shea, Kilgallon, Bramble, Cuellar, Mangane, N'Diaye, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Larsson, Johnson, Vaughan, Sessegnon, Fletcher, Graham, Wickham.

Wenger has good hopes that Koscielny will be fit tomorrow.
If not, I would like to see Miguel at central defence. He has not played many games for the first team in his natural position.

Szczesny
Sagna
Mertesacker
Koscielny/Miguel
Monreal

Arteta
Wilshere
Cazorla

Walcott
Giroud
Podolski

subs: Mannone-Jenkinson-Miguel-Rosicky-Ramsey-Diaby-Chamberlain

Let's hope that Koscielny passes fit otherwise it's Sagna or Miquel at CB, neither of which fills with me with any remote confidence.

Hoping he is fit, then the team pretty much picks itself.

Szczesny
Sagna - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Monreal
Wilshere - Diaby
Cazorla
Walcott - Giroud - Podolski

Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Miquel, Santos, Ramsey, Ox

Not a very exciting bench

Still several weeks off being fit.

He played against Stoke

... I may be going crazy

He did start indeed, however I expect him to be on the bench tomorrow

If Koscielny is a doubt to play midweek I'd throw Jenkinson in the heart of the defence today. A huge risk but I'd sooner see him play v Bayern than either Miquel or Squillaci.

At centre half?

I think you've got to give Miquel a try there ahead of Jenkinson, it's his position and he at least plays there in the reserve games. Has Jenkinson ever payed there for us? Don't think so and against Fletcher and Graham it's too risky.

I'd start Arteta, he's at least had a week off.

I'd like to see a midfield of :

Arteta Wilshire Diaby (also had the week off)

At some point Cazorla can come on for Jack as both played for most if not all of the matches in midweek.

Not sure Miguel would be a sound choice at the heart of the defence. Still young and raw, but he does not inspire with confidence, given the fact that Sunderland are a pretty physical side.

Would still run with Arteta, Diaby and Wilshire.

Koscielny starts

Sorry Miquel*, but:

I just hope Koscielny is really fit and not rushed back.


* Who, funnily enough, was called "Iggy Miquel" by Wenger yesterday.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Arteta, Wilshere, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Monreal, Cazorla.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, Bramble, O'Shea, Cattermole (c), N'Diaye, Colback, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher.

The team:

Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Arteta, Wilshere, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Monreal, Cazorla
Subs: Diaby, Rosicky, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson, Miquel, Mannone

Suprised to see Ramsey in there, let's hope he will play in the centre with Cazorla out left, but I fear it's the other way around.