So we may be made to wait until Wednesday or possibly even next weekend to see our new boy play. Either way we travel to the Stadium of Light short of players as it is. Rosicky, Sanogo and Zelalem add to our list of woes which now really does leave us with one striker. I said at the start of the window we were desperately in need of another striker and whilst I'm over the moon with Özil we still lack back up for Giroud.
In more positive news Thomas Vermaelen is back and in with a chance of playing which gives Wenger options to cover Mertesacker playing either him or Sagna at right back. With
Özil a doubt too we may see Wilshere slot in behind Giroud with Ramsey and Flamini holding the line in front of the defence. Despite the arrival of Viviano who I already can't help but like after watching his interview with Arsenal.com I think SZCZ will keep his place in the starting line up.
Sunderland have a team that is barely recognisable with Di Canio signing nearly a whole new starting 11 in the transfer window. There are some players that I know of and others that I don't but I would expect a few of them to start. Andre Dossena (if you remember from Liverpool) is a bit of a bruiser and could give Theo a few problems, however if Theo can get in behind him he'll struggle to keep up so that could be a potential area we could exploit.
Giaccherini is a doubt but Fletcher is back and could partner another new boy in Jozy Altidore upfront for Sunderland. We know Fletcher has goals so he'll be a threat, Altidore had a blistering season for AZ Alkmaar last year and he certainly knows where the net is. Despite scoring against MK Dons the other week he hasn't quite found his feet in the league yet but that could easily change against us. This is not an easy game and we'll need to be ready for it if we're to take all 3 points.
Let's hope our current run of form continues and we can ease to 3 points.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
