Goalkeeper Craig Gordon who cost roughly the same as Cesc, Van Persie, Song and Ramsey combined is also missing with a long term injury. Powerful striker Kenwyne Jones will be suspended which is good news for our boys

The international season takes a break for a while so the Premier League takes it’s place for a few weeks, or at least that is how it has felt this season so far. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal will be attempting to jump back into the thick of it away to Sunderland who have proved to be tricky opponents on more than one occasion this season.

The treatment room had threatened to spill into the hallway at London Colney but luckily a few of the players are heading towards full fitness once again. Denilson who hasn’t featured since the 4-2 defeat at Manchester City in September should be fit enough to take his place in the squad. If Denilson had come back sooner and had a substitute game under his belt then he could well have come in for Alex Song who is one booking away from suspension but I suspect that the game will come too early for the busy Brazilian.

Given the lack of strength, height and power in the side due to certain players being unavailable due to injury, I think Wenger will keep his powerhouse in the center of the pitch. Wenger will be looking to play his fresher players on the weekend as the likes of Sagna, Gallas and Arshavin all had important qualifying games on Wednesday. Eboue should come in for Sagna and Rosicky would be a very capable deputy for Arshavin who only flew back from Slovenia a few days ago.

William Gallas is the only player who I believe Wenger will be weary about resting. Having already making an enforced change at left back Arsene would need to make three changes to his defence and that may be too much away from the Emirates stadium.

Aaron Ramsey who suffered a back problem was pulled out of the Welsh under 21s and rightly so after his wonderful display in the senior side could be the player to fill in for Abou Diaby. With Cesc Fabregas in the side you would expect Ramsey to have less freedom as he did for Wales when almost single handedly crushing Scotland, will have to do more defensive work. Wenger could also opt to play Samir Nasri as a partner to Cesc if he feels that Arshavin can play in the front line.

As we are lacking strikers you would imagine that Carlos Vela who has been passed fit will take his place on the bench.

Luckily for us, Sunderland have injury concerns of their own. Lorik Cana is back in the squad but his midfield partner Lee Cattermole will have to sit out due to a long term injury. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon who cost roughly the same as Cesc, Van Persie, Song and Ramsey combined is also missing with a long term injury. Powerful striker Kenwyne Jones will be suspended which is good news for our boys.

His ability in the air along with his pace and power would have caused Tommy V and Willy G the rebel MC’s plenty of problems, now they just have to deal with someone who is Bent. I hope I do not tempt fate with that.

I do not quite know where to place this game in my head, a tricky away game after internationals is never easy but they are missing some key players but then again, so are we.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

I have had a niggling feeling about this game for a little while now and I usually try and go with my gut rather than just my head. I see Sunderland taking advantage over our weary legs but our quality will snatch a draw in the second half.