Strongest Arsenal XI To Face Sunderland: Rest Giroud, and Start Walcott

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Sunderland

The defending FA Cup champions start the defence of their crown with what seems to be a relatively easy game against Premier League side Sunderland. Arsenal are flying high in the Premier League and could well end up taking the Black Cats to town.

Sam Allardyce might be keeping an eye out for Premier League survival and could well put out a team that is more in line with damage restrictions as staying in the league is more important to Sunderland than progressing into the next round, though the manager wouldn’t mind getting one over Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger however, does have a few selection issues with Alexis Sanchez missing out due to injury and there are many other players who face time on the sidelines. Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 12^th time last season and with a hat-trick on titles on their mind, they would be looking to make a strong statement in the first game.

The Gunners have only lost one out of their last seven games and will hope for a comfortable win by resting a few players. Here is the predicted lineup for the Gunners against Sunderland.

Petr Cech

Arsene Wenger might be tempted to start David Ospina but he should go ahead with Cech and avoid any slips in the third round.

Hector Bellerin

The pacey right-back should be an automatic selection for the Gunners and he could well hold the key when it comes to hitting Sunderland on the break.

Laurent Koscielny

Calum Chambers might be an option for the Gunners but Koscielny must start for the Gunners if they are to keep a clean sheet.

Gabriel Paulista

The defender should get a chance in place of Per Mertesacker and would be looking to make a good impression on the manager.

Keiran Gibbs

Almost a forgotten man at Arsenal, the English defender should get a chance to show his quality against Sunderland.

Mathieu Flamini

The French midfielder is the only fit defensive midfielder for the team and he should start for the Gunners against Sunderland.

Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey has seen a growth in his role in the midfield and he is finally getting a chance to show that he is better as a midfielder than as a winger and he should continue in this role for the Gunners.

Mesut Ozil

The German has been the player of the season for Arsenal at least and he should be part of the starting XI for the Gunners.

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be looking to get in a few minutes and get back to his best, with Alexis Sanchez rested, this is a great chance for the Englishman to do well.

Joel Campbell

One of the rising stars this season, Campbell has revived his Arsenal career thanks to the injuries to the other players and that should mean another game for the Costa Rican.

Theo Walcott

The English attacker could well start for the Gunners as he seeks to find his scoring boots and it would give Olivier Giroud a chance to rest as well.