Christos Tzolis and Kai Havertz will return to the Arsenal starting lineup when they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Arsenal will aim to continue the perfect start to the 2026/27 season when they lock horns with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night. Mikel Arteta has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Cristhian Mosquera (hamstring) and Jurrien Timber (groin) are closing in on returning, and they may be in contention to take on Sunderland this weekend. Arteta has also been sweating over Ben White’s fitness after he was forced off the pitch in the UEFA Champions League clash with Napoli earlier this week.

So, William Saliba is the only player in the treatment room as he continues his recovery from a back injury. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Mosquera and Timber. The Spanish tactician also discussed the improving partnership between Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard.

The Arsenal manager said, “[Cristhian’s] doing really well, let’s see if he can get [back] for this game or the next one. [With Jurrien], let’s see. We have another training session. He’s been doing really well, he’s been training with us now for a few days, and he looks in good shape.”

“Hopefully those relationships are great between all the players, that’s what we try to develop. There is certainly a start there, and let’s see where we have a bigger example, how this develops, but it’s a really good sign.”

David Raya is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Sunderland on Saturday. The backline will feature Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori.

As for the midfield unit, Myles Lewis-Skelly will line up alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park, with Martin Odegaard taking creative charge. Finally, Kai Havertz will lead the line for the away side, with Christos Tzolis and Bukayo Saka being the two wide attackers.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis