Bruno Guimaraes starts and Jurrien Timber returns in dream Arsenal XI vs Sunderland

The dream options for Mikel Arteta as his Arsenal side take on Sunderland in the Premier League

Arsenal take on Sunderland, aiming to increase their net gain in points from the previous season to plus five. Three games in and maximum points from Coventry City, away to Aston Villa and at home to Chelsea have given Mikel Arteta the perfect kick-off to the new season.

Fresh from a dominant display in Naples, where the one-nil scoreline flattered the Italians, Arteta was able to rotate some of his squad for the clash and even give others a full night off the action. This will certainly be handy considering the Black Cats will have had an additional day to prepare.

A narrow win on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup against Hull City equally gave Regis Le Bris a chance to rest his players, too. For Mikel Arteta, a late Brian Brobbey goal last season cost his side a valuable three points on Wearside.

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This time around, however, we have a natural centre-forward to call on after having to use Mikel Merino in the role last time. Martin Odegaard is fit and firing, and there could be a first Premier League start offered to a new signing, one who needs to record a win against the side that his old club were on the end of back-to-back defeats from.

Bruno Guimaraes is yet to start a game since the FA Community Shield win over Manchester City, suffering a knock in Cardiff and another at Villa. While Myles Lewis-Skelly was offered a full night off, it could be the Brazilian chosen to partner Declan Rice in the middle.

Jurrien Timber travelled with the squad but was not included in the matchday XI. Ben White left the pitch somewhat gingerly on Wednesday night, and having the Dutchman available would be ideal, although there would certainly need to be some consideration of his load as he’s reintegrated.

Ezri Konsa is another option, but with numbers slim on the ground in defence, while both William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera remain out, it leaves the Gunners in a pickle.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Sunderland – Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis