Arsenal will be without striker Robin van Persie (ankle) and defender Kieran Gibbs (foot) for the Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland, but welcome back England forward Theo Walcott from a knee problem.
Nicklas Bendtner (groin) is not yet match fit, so Croatia marksman Eduardo is likely to lead the attack while veteran defender Mikael Silvestre is set to fill in at left-back.
Midfielder Denilson, Mexican forward Carlos Vela, defender Armand Traore and England Under-21 midfielder Jack Wilshere have all recovered, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (knee) also close to a comeback, but Abou Diaby (calf), Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee) remain sidelined.
Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is set to begin an extended run in the Sunderland side.
Fulop is likely to take over from Craig Gordon, who will be out for three months after breaking his arm in the defeat by Tottenham a fortnight ago.
Fraizer Campbell could start up front as Kenwyne Jones sits out the second match of a three-game ban while defender Michael Turner is also suspended.
Midfielder Lorik Cana returns from a ban while John Mensah (calf) and Boudewijn Zenden (hip) are back in contention. Lee Cattermole (knee) is another long-term absentee.
Teams:
Sunderland (from): Fulop, Bardsley, Da Silva, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Turner, Richardson, McCartney, Reid, Malbranque, Henderson, Campbell, Bent, Healy, Murphy, Meyler, Reed, Cana, Zenden, Mensah, Carson.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Silvestre, Rosicky, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Arshavin, Eduardo, Fabianski, Vela, Traore, Eboue, Denilson, Ramsey, Senderos, Wilshere, Walcott.
