Arsene Wenger is clearly looking for an Arsenal win tonight over Sunderland, even though a point would be enough to make sure that we do not have to face the two legged Champions League play offs, barring a cricket score from Man United and a defeat at home to West Brom in our last game.
So there is no surprise to see that the Frenchman has selected a strong side tonight, although I am a bit surprised with a couple of his selections. Koscielny keeps his place despite having been suffering with a bit of illness this week, while it seemed a great chance to give Gabriel another taste of Premier League action.
The other one I did not expect was for the boss to drop Francis Coquelin. He is on the bench and it looks like Ramsey and Cazorla will play in central midfield. Jack Wilshere is given a start though but we will have to wait and see whether he or Mesut Ozil will play on the right flank. Jack I suspect. Kieran Gibbs comes in as well with Monreal on the bench.
Ospina
Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Cazorla, Ramsey
Wilshere, Ozil, Alexis
Giroud
subs: Szczesny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott
It should be a good game tonight and hopefully a big win for the Gunners. A point will do though but a win will give us a chance of second place and keep the momentum going.