Sunderland lineup vs. Arsenal: Predicted XI as Malick Fofana starts against former admirers

By Ben Knapton | 10 Sep 2026 10:54, Last updated: 10 Sep 2026 11:04

Sunderland winger Malick Fofana is successful enactment for a afloat Premier League debut successful Saturday's clash with erstwhile admirers Arsenal astatine the Stadium of Light.

The Belgian was a second-half substitute successful past weekend's 1-1 gully with Brentford, earlier starting and completing 79 minutes of the 1-0 triumph implicit Hull City successful Tuesday's EFL Cup third-round clash.

Fofana, Nilson Angulo, Thomas Meunier and Chemsdine Talbi - the second 2 of whom combined for the victor successful midweek - are each scrapping for 2 wide spots, but the erstwhile should beryllium deemed acceptable for a starting relation successful the apical flight.

Angulo is the astir apt to articulation Fofana successful the last 3rd fixed helium was granted a implicit remainder connected Tuesday, and the aforesaid applies for Enzo Le Fee and Brian Brobbey, scorer of a sensational equaliser successful past season's 2-2 stalemate with Arsenal.

With Habib Diarra sidelined for six to 8 weeks owed to a thigh injury, ex-Gunner Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki are harmless successful midfield, but a afloat complement of antiaircraft changes are successful store.

Melker Ellborg, Trai Hume, Omar Alderete, Luke O'Nien and Dayann Methalie comprised the backline successful the cup, but Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Kevin Danso and Reinildo should present each beryllium restored.

Sunderland imaginable starting lineup:

Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey

> Click present to spot however Arsenal could enactment up against Sunderland