EPL Preview: Predicting the Arsenal Starting Lineup vs. Sunderland

Arsenal will attempt to just close the gap on leaders Manchester United to a mere point when they take on Sunderland at the Emirates this weekend. Sir Alex Ferguson's men suffered a 2-1 defeat to rivals Chelsea, which has enabled the Gunners to heave the pressure on the English Premier League leaders.

Arsene Wenger's men returned to confidence and reinstated their dominating presence on world football with a 5-0 thrashing of League One outfit Leyton Orient. The win followed the North London giants' shock 2-1 loss in the Carling Cup final to Birmingham City, a team many believed Arsenal would dismantle easily and diminish their five-season trophy drought.

Arsenal will be eager to shorten the gap between first and second, but it will not be an easy feat. The Gunners have the tough task of overcoming a doughty Sunderland outfit, who will undoubtedly look to expose Arsenal's lack of physicality by playing a rough style of play.

The Black Cats are eighth in the league table and have acquired a victory in their last four EPL outings. However, the two sides met in September, with the encounter finishing in a 1-1 draw thanks to a last second goal to Steve Bruce's men from Darrent Bent, who left the club in January for Aston Villa.

However, it is no secret the Gunners struggle against the powerful, rough exposure of Sunderland alongside their powerful attacking prowess. Fortunately, the Gunners' defence has entered form in recent months, and as their recent win suggests, the Gunners' attack can be almost impossible to defend.

However, injuries and confidence may halt Arsene Wenger's men in their challenge to catch Manchester United at the penthouse of Europe's most exciting league. Let's predict the Arsenal starting XI.

Goalkeeper

Experienced shot stopper Manuel Almunia received a rare chance in the Gunners' 5-0 FA Cup triumph; however, the Spaniard is destined to return to the bench with boom youngster Wojciech Szczesny returning to the fray.

The Polish keeper was the villain in Arsenal's shock 2-1 Carling Cup demise after fumbling a tame ball in the final minutes that enabled Obafemi Martins to snatch the winner. Yet the 20-year-old has been in stellar form since being elevated to the first-choice keeper role in December, and fans and critics alike believe the exciting prospect will bounce back.

Meanwhile, predominant first-choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski is still nursing a severe shoulder injury that is likely to keep the Polish international absent until the end of the season. Boom youngsters Vito Mannone and James Shea are on loan at Hull City and Southampton, respectively.

Defenders

The Arsenal faithful will be relieved to see the return of imposing Swiss Johan Djourou and Frenchman Laurent Koscienly into the Arsenal centre halves. The duo were rested for the FA Cup encounter but will be on hand to thwart the Sunderland attack.

The same consideration for Bacary Sagna; the Frenchman will replace Ivorian Emmanuel Eboue, who was given a rare start against Leyton Orient at right back. Experienced defender Gael Clichy is likely to be chosen over English international Kieran Gibbs at left back despite both playing in the FA Cup.

Centre halves Sebastien Squillaci and Ignasi Miguel, who both featured against Leyton Orient, will contest for a bench role alongside Kieran Gibbs, with Squillaci set to win out due to his experience.

Midfielders

After sustaining an hamstring injury against Stoke City last week, which ensured he missed the Carling Cup final, captain Cesc Fabregas has been ruled out of the Sunderland encounter. The Gunners sorely missed the presence of their midfield maestro against Birmingham City, with the attack lacking its predominant flow and flair.

However, defensive midfielder Alexandre Song and teenage sensation Jack Wilshere return after being rested for the FA Cup match. The pair will partner imposing Frenchman Abou Diaby in the three-man Arsenal midfield.

Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky and samba star Denilson will receive bench roles.

Forwards

Star striker Robin van Persie suffered a knee injury against Birmingham City, which has ruled the Dutchman out for three weeks. However, the injury was mitigated after fellow strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh starred in Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of Leyton Orient.

Chamakh scored his first goal for the Gunners since November whilst Danish sharpshooter Bendtner scored a fantastic hat-trick. Wenger will undoubtedly have one eye on the upcoming midweek clash with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg. The Gunners possess a 2-1 aggregate lead, which may force Wenger to start with Chamakh, preserving the in-form Bendtner.

On the right wing, Theo Walcott is still nursing an ankle injury sustained against Stoke, which should see in-form dynamo Samir Nasri start whilst Russian attacker Andrei Arshavin will start on the left in the three-man attack.

Substitutes

With seven places on Wenger's bench, Manuel Almunia will be the backup keeper whilst Sebastien Squillaci and Kieran Gibbs the deputizing defenders. Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue will be the backup attackers, with young gun Conor Henderson also a possibility.