Arsenal are most likely set for a nervy last day of the season as their hopes of finishing in the top four hinges massively on the remaining results from Liverpool and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Arsenal would want to complete their part unerringly, and with already relegated side Sunderland visiting Emirates this Tuesday, Arsene Wenger is expecting a routine win.
Though David Moyes’ side was hugely responsible for Hull City’s shocking relegation, Crystal Palace showed how disciplined playing can help in totally outplaying the Black Cats. And with City also playing West Bromwich on Tuesday, Arsenal would like to wrap it up keeping a close eye at Etihad.
Team News
Arsenal- There are two major doubts for Wenger going into the fixture in Laurent Koscielny and Alexis Sanchez. The manager revealed in the press conference that French centre-half is experiencing similar calf problems after the Stoke City game and his fitness will be determined before the game.
The other is Sanchez. The Chilean international himself called to get subbed last game against Stoke City, which is by no means a normal occurrence. He was kicked on his thigh and a late fitness test is scheduled for him too. Kieran Gibbs is available and is expected to take the wing-back’s role again.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still out of the game. The long-term injuries remain the same with Santiago Cazorla and Jeff-Rene Adelaide.
Sunderland- Sunderland are already without most of the first-team players and it was further compounded with the injury led substitution of Jason Denayer and Victor Anichebe against Swansea City. There are doubts about their availabilities for the big game, but Anichebe could make a return.
Apart from them, Patrick McNair, Duncan Watmore and Jan Kirchhoff remain long-term absentees.
Predicted Line-ups
Arsenal- Cech; Holding, Mustafi, Koscielny; Bellerin, Coquelin, Xhaka, Monreal; Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck
Sunderland- Pickford; Manquillo, O’Shea, Kone, Jones; Ndong, Denayer; Larsson, Borini, Anichebe, Defoe
Key Players
Arsenal- With Alexis Sanchez in the form of his life, Arsenal fans will highly expect him to score again and possibly take his tally closer to Everton’s Romelu Lukaku. He has scored 21 goals and 11 assists so far, which are the best numbers in the league now. Apart from him, Mesut Ozil looks back to form with a goal and an assist in the last two games and is likely to continue it on home turf.
Sunderland- Jermain Defoe has been Moyes’ biggest saviour this season on many occasions and on Tuesday too, Sunderland would highly expect from him. Apart from him, Fabio Borini could be a threat to Arsenal’s defence.
Betting Odds
Arsenal @ 1.11
Draw @ 11.00
Sunderland @ 26.00
