Arsenal need all three points from the trip north to face Sam Allardyce and his Sunderland side today, in order to go back above Man City into third place. A point would not be a disaster as it would put us five points ahead of the Champions League chasing Manchester United, but to avoid a play off next season and to have any chance of finishing above our north London rivals Tottenham once again, the win is vital.
It will not be easy, though, as Allardyce and Sunderland are on a good run and are putting absolutely everything into staying in the Premier League. So I am a little surprised to see that Arsene Wenger has not made any changes to the starting line up that played just three days ago, although they did win and perhaps the boss is reluctant to change that winning formula.
So Olivier Giroud gets the nod ahead of Welbeck up front and we need to see more of his form from the second half against West Brom when he was unlucky not to score rather than the first half when he was lucky to touch the ball. And Wenger has gone for the more creative Ramsey ahead of the solidity and defensive strength of Coquelin in the middle and the calm head and experience of Mertesacker over the pace and aggression of Gabriel.
Cech
Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal
Elneny, Ramsey
Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Gabriel, Coquelin, Wilshere, Campbell, Walcott, Welbeck
Will Arsenal win today and will we see the first appearance of the season from Jack Wilshere?