If Arsenal’s Vermaelen does move to the center then I would actually expect Sagna to fill in at left back rather than his usual right back spot. Arsene tends to put the more experienced player out of position rather than a youngster, even if it means making more defensive

This is pretty much the start of a rather daunting run of fixtures, all which are incredibly important and loss in any of the upcoming games could do damage to our season. While the next game is always the biggest focus, there is no doubt that Arsene will have little choice but to think ahead to other fixtures as he attempts to play the rotation game which to be fair, he may not have handled the squad as well as he could during our last busy period over Christmas.

In Arsene’s defence, he didn’t quite have the number of players available during Christmas as he does today. Bacary Sagna was rested to the bench in our demolishing of Blackburn Rovers last weekend but will more than likely be restored to the starting line up. Away from home? check, tough gritty opponent? check, left winger in good form? check. That calls for Mr reliable and Mr consistency.

The rest of the back four is rather intriguing and I find myself thinking further down the line, which players will be saved for which fixtures. I have been waiting rather impatiently for a natural left back to slot back into the side so we can get more of a glimpse of the Koscielny and Vermaelen partnership in the center of defence. Kieran Gibbs is back in training but I suspect that such a big game away from home against an inform side will have come too quick for the England man.

If Vermaelen does move to the center then I would actually expect Sagna to fill in at left back rather than his usual right back spot. Arsene tends to put the more experienced player out of position rather than a youngster, even if it means making more defensive changes to his back line.

It would make sense playing Vermaelen alongside Koscielny as they would most probably be facing two quick players in Fraizer Campbell and Stéphane Sessègnon who was doubtful after picking up a knock in their midweek victory against rivals Middlesbrough.

Speaking of which, the shoe is very much on the other foot for a change. Opponents have often taken advantage of our midweek Champions League games when playing us on the following weekend. Sunderland had to go through extra time on Wednesday with a very strong side and it looked like it took it out of them so we will need to take advantage of that especially towards the end of the game where our passing game can tire out the opposition.

Going back to us, Arsene has spoken about the need to play every fixture as if it was a cup final and I think we started that task very well last weekend against Blackburn Rovers and by that, I don’t just mean our work off the ball but mainly our work on the ball. There seemed to be a conscious effort from the whole team to play the ball much quicker and with less touches. Many people have shrugged off the victory and performance because of the opposition and while I agree that they did not cause us many problems, I am confident that if we move the ball around as quickly and inventively as we did last weekend then we can beat anyone and that includes Sunderland and AC Milan.

I think Aaron Ramsey will come in for the in form Tomas Rosicky, Ramsey presses the ball better than his senior team mate and was also fully rested after not playing any part in our 7-1 win.

I am very interested to see when and if Arsene protects Oxlade-Chamberlain. After his scintillating display last weekend, you would imagine that Arsene would want to play him while he is full of confidence and Theo Walcott’s hat trick of assists will surely see him continue on the right. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of those wide men saved until the latter stages to test what should be weary legs after their midweek excursions.

I don’t think that our players will have the same space in behind as they had against Blackburn, especially as Martin O’Neill will know that his team will not be able to cope physically with us. I expect men behind the ball and to play on the break. Attempting to get the ball to Sessègnon as early as possible.

Ultimately I believe that it will be down to us and how we play the game. If we fight for possession, move the ball quickly and take our chances then I think Sunderland will lose their first game under their new manager at the same time we will need to be totally focused at the back, preventing mistakes as the home side will look to exploit us from set pieces and on the break.

This is a very busy period for us and the best way to give us the best chance of coming through this is to win our first game, that game is today.

Three points please.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up