Arsenal: Monreal, Walcott, Cazorla All Doubtful For Sunderland Trip

Arsene Wenger could be without some of his most reliable and creative Arsenal players for his team’s trip to Sunderland this weekend.

Arsenal has a new wave of injuries to watch for. Lucas Perez (Ankle) is out for up to eight weeks and Santi Cazorla (Achilles), Theo Walcott (Hamstring) and Nacho Monreal are all doubts for the Gunners’ Premier League fixture against Sunderland this weekend.

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Cazorla missed last week’s 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough and is struggling to be fit for Saturday’s trip to the Stadium of Light.

“We have a few uncertainties with Walcott, Monreal, Cazorla but they will have tests today,” Arsene Wenger confirmed during his pre-match press conference. Wenger then had some positive news to share;

“Giroud is back available, Aaron Ramsey (Hamstring) will be in the squad so it’s good to have them back.

“I have to be a bit cautious, especially with Aaron Ramsey.” That was what Wenger had to say regarding the return of the former Wales captain, and Wenger can afford to ease the midfielder back into action thanks to the fantastic squad depth that Arsenal now have. Ramsey has been out of action since the opening day defeat to Liverpool.

The absence of Santi Cazorla would usually be regarded a massive, the midfielder has started this season in fine form as well, scoring two goals and assisting another two in eight top-flight appearances.

That said, Francis Coquelin has arguably been one of Arsene Wenger’s most underrated players this season, Granit Xhaka is returning from suspension and Mohamed Elneny is no slouch. Coquelin, Xhaka and Elneny may not be able to provide the creative spark that Cazorla can, but they match up favorably against Jack Rodwell and Didier Ndong.

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Wenger acknowledged Cazorla’s creative prowess when asked what Arsenal miss when the little Spaniard is absent, he said: “The pass from deep midfield and security on the ball, getting out of pressure. And he has a good understanding with Mesut Ozil.”

Kieran Gibbs would fill in for the ever reliable Monreal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be the deserving beneficiary of Walcott’s unfortunate injury. It would be a shame if Walcott couldn’t continue his incredible start to the new season. In a matchup against a physical Sunderland side, I would not be surprised to see Olivier Giroud start, but I would expect Arsene Wenger to continue with Alexis Sanchez up front, again, simply to ease the prolific Giroud back into action.

In a matchup against a physical Sunderland side, I would not be surprised to see Olivier Giroud start, but I would expect Arsene Wenger to continue with Alexis Sanchez up front, again, simply to ease the prolific Giroud back into action.

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Arsene Wenger’s side are clear favorites against the Premier League’s bottom side and after dropping points at home against Middlesborough, nothing but a win will do in their bid for the league title.