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SUNDERLAND vs. ARSENAL : PREMIER LEAGUE 2025-26
Why Granit Xhaka reunion is a reminder of Arsenal’s evolution under Mikel Artet
Granit Xhaka walked so Declan Rice could run…
Granit Xhaka is no stranger to a comeback story. STREAM LIVE HERE ššš
The midfielder famously turned hisĀ ArsenalĀ career around, despite having his ābags packedā five years ago after being stripped of the captaincy.
His redemption was so complete that he will surely receive a warm reception from the travelling Arsenal fansĀ when he leads Sunderland out at the Stadium of Light this evening.
It was quite the renaissance towards the end of his seven years in north London, but there is already a sense that his time at Sunderland could rival even that.
There were raised eyebrows when the 33-year-old arrived in the north east this summer, swapping title-challenging Bayer Leverkusen for relegation candidates Sunderland.
From the outset, though, Xhaka made it clear he was up for the fight. Sunderlandās head coach, Regis Le Bris, decided āwithin ten minutesā to make him captain.
Since then, the Switzerland internationalās performances have been nothing short of remarkable. He has silenced anyone who thought his best days were behind him.
No player in the Sunderland squad has won possession more times, created more chances or completed more passes in the Premier League this season.
He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club
Mikel Arteta on Granit Xhaka
āWith the impact heās having, one of the best [signings of the summer], I would say,ā said Arteta.
āHe made me a better coach, he helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club, and I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories with him.
āHe was such a character, a huge personality, very funny, super professional and one of those guys that can change the dressing room and the spirit of a team. Thatās a superpower to have.ā
Xhaka admitsĀ facing Arsenal will be āemotionalā, which is easy to understand given his turbulent seven years in north London.
He and his family were subjected to horrific abuse on social media around the time he lost the captaincy.
But by speaking out, Xhaka reconnected with the Arsenal supporters and went on to play some of the best football of his career in his final season at the Emirates.
He scored nine goals that year – his best-ever return – prompting Leverkusen to pay Arsenal more than Ā£20m in the summer of 2023
āIt was a unique opportunity for him to go back to Germany to his family, and there were certain things that he wanted to experience as well,ā said Arteta.
āI believe it was the right moment, he was very honest and straightforward as he always is, and we found a way to find a good solution for all of us.ā
The biggest compliment you can pay Xhaka is that it took Arsenal six months to replace him – and in the end, it took a Ā£105 million midfielder to do it.
Arteta initially struggled to fill the void, with Kai Havertz finding it difficult to adapt to the left No8 role before being pushed further forward.
Declan RiceĀ eventually became the answer, evolving into the heartbeat of an Arsenal side that looks ready to end the clubās 21-year wait for the title.
It should not be forgotten, though, that Arsenalās first steps on that journey began with Xhaka – even if they may end with Rice.
Mikel Arteta could start 16-year-old in third-ro
ArsenalĀ are expected to rotate when they travel to take onĀ PortsmouthĀ in theĀ FA Cup.
It is the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days and Mikel Arteta is set to make use of the strong squad available to him.
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That could mean a first start for Eberechi Eze since the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, while Noni Madueke is also in contention to come into the side.
Arsenal hope to have Kai Havertz in the squad but he is not believed to be ready to start, so Gabriel Jesus will likely lead the line unless Arteta opts to keep trying to play Viktor Gyokeres into form.
The Gunners will again be without Riccardo Calafiori, with Arteta confirming that this match will be “too early” for him.
Piero Hincapie is also a major doubt, having gone off against Liverpool with a suspected hamstring injury. He was due to undergo scans on Friday.
“We have to see the extent of what happened to Piero,” Arteta said.
“He could not carry on in the second half, so I donāt know exactly what it is.”
That leaves Myles Lewis-Skelly as the obvious starter at left-back and there could be an opportunity for 16-year-old Marli Salmon if Arteta decides to rest one of Gabriel or William Saliba.
Kepa will start in goal, as he has been doing in the Carabao Cup, and the likes of Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino are options in midfield.
Ethan Nwaneri will hope for some minutes, even off the bench. He has not featured since the win over Club Brugge a month ago.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3):Ā Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured:Ā Calafiori, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts:Ā Hincapie, Havertz
Time and date:Ā 2pmĀ GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports
Venue:Ā Fratton Park
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Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest
ArsenalĀ will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglersĀ Portsmouth.
The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of theĀ Premier League tableĀ in Thursday’s underwhelmingĀ goalless draw against LiverpoolĀ at the Emirates Stadium.
While their five-game winning league run came to an end,Ā Mikel ArtetaĀ will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Here,Ā Sports MoleĀ rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in theĀ Championship standings.
Piero Hincapie
Status:Ā Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date:Ā January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.
Kai Havertz
Status:Ā Minor doubt
Type of injury: Match fitness
Possible return date:Ā January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Riccardo Calafiori
Status:Ā Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date:Ā January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.
Cristhian Mosquera
Status:Ā Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date:Ā January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.
Max Dowman
Status:Ā Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date:Ā Unknown
Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.
ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST
Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.
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Full confirmed list of Arsenal ins and outs in January transfer window as first deal announced
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.
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Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.
The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club
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There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.
With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.
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