The big question, again, in Arsenal fans' minds will be whether or not Robin van Persie has done enough to earn a start, or will he continue to be used as a super sub (a role, it has to be said, that he seems very well suited to). The question is all the more pertinent this time, as it was Robin that made the biggest difference between the sides in that League Cup tie.

Thierry Henry was brought off early against Sparta Prague on Wednesday, but it was just a precaution since he's not long back from injury, and he is available to start. Some sources are speculating that Wenger may rest him anyway but it seems more likely that he'll take the same attitude as on Wednesday: let Henry start and see how it goes, especially as there will be time for Henry to rest over the next 2 weeks anyway, if necessary (Arsenal don't play again till the lunchtime kick-off in Wigan on the 19th.

Jens Lehmann is also fit to return after dropping out of Wednesday's game late with a stiff back. It has to be said that Manuel Almunia did not have the best of games in his place then, with his kicking being particularly poor, and I can't help wondering if maybe the chances of Mart Poom getting a game for the Gunners at some point were raised somewhat by that game. As a Sunderland player, he's not allowed to play against them in this one anyway so Almunia will be on the bench. And the chances are that he'll be heading back to Sunderland at the end of his 3 month loan spell (see below for reasons), although Sunderland have apparently confirmed that they have no power to recall him before that. Strange to think that if we were to win thanks to a keeper cock-up, our most significant player on the day will have been one who's not even in the squad for the game, and who's never played for us (and may never do so).

Freddie Ljungberg is still not quite fit to return from his hamstring tweak, but again the international break should be plenty logn enough to ensure that he's fit for the next game. Ashley Cole and Alexander Hleb will both be at least a week longer than that.

Sunderland have a good few players missing, including Julio Arca, George McCartney, Stephen Wright, and our own Justin Hoyte who is barred from playing against Arsenal in the league by Premiership regulations. French midfielder Christian Bassila may just be able to return from his hamstring injury but it's touch and go. Tommy Miller is expected to recover from a dead leg in time to play, and both Stephen Elliott and Gary Breen return from injury. Young Ben Alnwick (who played in the cup tie) could replace Kelvin Davis in goal. Davis was at fault for a couple of goals in the 4-1 loss to Portsmouth last weekend and was booed by some of his own fans. It'd be Alnwick's Premiership debut. They are expected to play one up front (Andy Gray or Jon Stead) and to try to frustrate Arsenal in midfield.

It will almost certainly (FA Cup possibilities aside) be Sunderland's last trip to Highbury. Mick McCarthy says the only memento he wants is 3 points. Let's hope he has to settle for taking away nothing more than memories of watching a resurgent Arsenal taking his team to pieces. Whoever plays out of Thierry, Dennis, Bobby, Jose, and Robin, ought to be more than capable of using this match to send us into the international break on a high.