Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have been reinstated in the starting eleven for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. After scoring a thrilling last-minute winner against Chelsea earlier in the week, Havertz is set to make only his second league start this season.
Jesus takes the forward position, replacing Viktor Gyokeres, in a lineup that has undergone several changes since the midweek cup victory. David Raya returns to goal, while Riccardo Calafiori makes his first league start of 2026 at left back, with Piero Hincapie now on the bench. Additionally, Leandro Trossard steps in for Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
The absence of key players continues to affect the team, as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Mikel Merino remain out of the matchday squad. This means that Gabriel will serve as captain for the fixture.
Sunderland arrives with confidence, sticking with the same lineup that secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Burnley on Monday. Notably, former Arsenal academy player Dan Ballard retains his position in the heart of the defense, while Granit Xhaka has not yet recovered from injury to participate in the match.
As both teams prepare for the battle on the pitch, the changes in Arsenal’s lineup reflect a strategic approach aiming for a strong performance and a much-needed victory.