Arsenal won the Premier League last season after a long 20-year wait for the Gunners.
Do you feel that now the pressure is off in a way and Arsenal can play with more freedom under Arteta?
The pressure is off in terms of the title, but I still see Arsenal playing in a similar way to last season.
Arteta clearly values control in games, and ‘suffocating’ teams, and I think this is likely to continue this season.
It also comes down to the individual players to find the balance between following the structure
and direction from the manager and expressing themselves – I think we’ll see more of the latter this season as they title should give them a huge amount of confidence.
Many pundits credit Arsenal for their physical and aerial dominance, with impeccable defensive organisation.
How does this side compare with some of Wenger’s great Premier League-winning sides?
Saliba and Gabriel are our best centre back pairing for 20 years easily, but we also had some phenomenal defensive players in the early 00s like Campbell and Toure.
With Saliba out though Konsa looks like a brilliant signing. The in-between years eroded a lot of trust fans had in Arsenal’s ability to defend as it just felt there could be a clanger at any time, but now it’s been a relatively stable and consistent defensive unit for two to three seasons and it really shows.
So far this season Arsenal have been marginally winning matches but giving away little to no shots on target.
How has Arteta built a side over the years that is so hard to score against?
He has recruited players that understand both the shape and the system, but are also excellent 1-1 defenders and readers of the game.
I think what makes Arsenal hard to beat is there just isn’t an obvious weakness. It’s like being a jack of all trade but also master of all trades!
Arsenal strengthened in the summer by signing Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis.
What have they brought to the table so far?
We’re yet to see Guimaraes a huge amount which isn’t surprising given he picked up an injury before the first game, but he will bring an immense presence to the midfield.
Tzolis has been a real surprise package. Where he lacks the pace of Martinelli he more than makes up for it in his crossing ability and decision making – he’s a very efficient player.
Konsa has huge shoes to fill but so far has slotted in superbly which is exactly what was expected of him, but he looks like he’s been at Arsenal for years.
There is an ongoing debate as to whether Arsenal need to complete the puzzle in signing a 30-goal-a-season striker.
Where do you stand on this debate with Kai Havertz leading the line?
Havertz has started really well but it’s not feasible to expect him to continue at this level without rest, which is where for me the problem lies.
Even if he stays fit he’s not the prolific goalscorer I think we are still missing. Gyokeres will have his moments but it’s increasingly hard to argue why you’d start him over Havertz at the moment.
We always forget that Merino is also a good finisher but it still feels like Arsenal have 2-3 players doing the job that a good striker could do.
We’ve spoken about the new players, but who are the Arsenal players who are the real stars of the side?
The ones when they don’t play, it makes a a huge difference.
The obvious answer is Declan Rice, we are a different side without him. He has come into criticism for a lack of goals but the control he brings to the midfield and his ability to clean-up where we’ve made a mess of something is unbelievable.
This season I’d also argue Calafiori. He is mesmerising to watch and gives us this chaotic nature going forward.
It was a very physical and combative match at the Stadium of Light last season.
How do you think Arteta will approach the match tactically?
Arsenal will always look to dominate possession but the attacking threat Sunderland pose in Brobbey will need to be carefully managed – I think Konsa vs Brobbey will be a key match-up.
Odegaard has been in fine form so I imagine we will have much of the build-up going through him, and using the relationship with Saka and Ben White on the right to provide chances.
Are any Arsenal players missing through injury or suspension and who do you think will start?
Apart from the long term injuries there shouldn’t be any surprise injuries. I wouldn’t be surprised if we line-up as we did against Chelsea. Jurrien Timber was on the bench for our mid-week Champions League game but it still might be too soon for him.
Raya (GK), White, Konsa, Gabriel, Califiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis, Havertz (4-2-3-1)
Sunderland’s last league win against Arsenal came back in 2009 – what is your prediction for the final score?
(Laura to send)
