Xhaka faces old club as Sunderland host unchanged Arsenal
Granit Xhaka will lead Sunderland out against his old club as Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday night.
Kick-off in the Premier League clash is 8pm BST The Guardian. It is Arsenal's fourth league game of the 2026/27 season and their second away trip Arsenal.
Sunderland are unchanged. Manager Regis Le Bris has stuck with the side that drew 1-1 with Brentford.
That means Robin Roefs starts in goal. Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Kevin Danso and Reinildo form the back four. Noah Sadiki and captain Xhaka sit in front of them. Hicham Meunier, Enzo Le Fée and Chemsdine Talbi? No — it is Meunier, Le Fée and Agustin Angulo behind Brian Brobbey. The shape is listed as 4-2-3-1, four defenders, two deeper midfielders and three behind one striker.
Arsenal are unchanged too. Mikel Arteta has kept the same starting XI that beat Chelsea.
David Raya starts in goal. Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori make up the defence. Martin Ødegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice are the midfield three. Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis lead the attack in a 4-3-3, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
The headline is Xhaka. The former Arsenal midfielder now wears the armband for Sunderland. He will face the club where he made his name in England.
Both benches look strong. Sunderland can call on Simon Ellborg, Trai Hume, Luke O'Nien, Omar Alderete, Nectarios Methalie, Talbi, Chris Rigg, Fofana and Wilson Isidor.
Arsenal's options include Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapié, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi and Bruno Guimarães.
Sunderland had marked this one down early. The club designated the home game against Arsenal on 12 September as a Category A* fixture, its top ticket band Sunderland AFC.
Elsewhere on 12 September, the early picture shifted slightly. Liverpool were held 0-0 at home by Fulham, while Nottingham Forest and Ipswich both won and Chelsea were also held Reuters.
What makes this stand out is the mix. Arsenal bring continuity. Sunderland bring noise and a familiar face with a point to prove. Under the lights, that is a proper Premier League test for both sides.
