DJIBRIL Cisse hasn't travelled to The Emirates after picking up an ankle injury giving Kenwyne Jones the task of playing as a lone striker.
Teemu Tainio returns to the Sunderland midfield and the former Spurs man will play in front of a back four that includes debutant Tal Ben Haim. The Israeli defender replaces the suspended Phil Bardsely at right back with Danny Collins, Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney continuing their partnership in the back four.
Andy Reid offers creative options on the left flank with Steed Malbranque expected to play on the right wing. Skipper Dean Whitehead and Kieran Richardson will operate in the centre of midfield.
Andrey Arshavin makes his Gunners debut in midfield with Emmanuel Eboue dropping to the Arsenal bench.
Jones will be looking to repeat his brace of goals in this fixture last year with Sunderland looking to improve on the 3-2 defeat that afternoon.
Calum Davenport and Paul McShane are included on a strong Black Cats bench that also features strikers David Healy and Darryl Murphy.
SUNDERLAND(4-5-1): Fulop,BenHaim,Ferdinand,Collins,McCartney,Malbranque,Richardson,Tainio,Whitehead,Reid,Jones
Subs:Gordon,McShane,Leadbitter,Davenport,Edwards,Murphy,Healy
Arsenal(4-4-2): Almunia,Sgna,Toure,Gallas,Clichy,Arshavin,Song,Denilson,Nasri,Van Persie,Bendtner
Subs: Fabianski,Ramsey,Djourou,Eboue,Gibbs,Merida,Vela
** READ A FULL REPORT AND ANALYSIS OF TODAY'S GAME IN MONDAY'S NORTHERN ECHO **
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