Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sunderland: Balogun in 4-2-3-1?
![Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard (L) challenges Arsenal's English striker Folarin Balogun (R) during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Arsenal at Brentford Community Stadium in London on August 13, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard (L) challenges Arsenal's English striker Folarin Balogun (R) during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Arsenal at Brentford Community Stadium in London on August 13, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e4fb93937e5fec2146fa160c3d72d05198d0c9d715a29fef9b0cc717bd00ad34.jpg)
Midfielders
Mohamed Elneny (CM) – Domestic cup action on the horizon? Better call Mo.
These matches are why Elneny is here this season (apart from Old Trafford, of course) and with Sambi Lokonga out it is almost certain he’ll come into midfield.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (CM) – Thomas Partey will need a breather at some stage and Xhaka will too, therefore there is no better opportunity to bring Maitland-Niles back into the fold having become a peripheral figure in the league of late.
Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – Back in the team and back down the middle. Even if Arsenal are facing League One opposition for the second time in the EFL Cup, Arteta’s unwillingness to blood youngsters against AFC Wimbledon means he’s even less likely to do that now.
Smith Rowe has been on the bench in the previous few Premier League outings but should be in from the start here.
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