[Confirmed] Arsenal lineup vs Sunderland – Changes from Wenger as Wilshere gets first start since November

The teams for our clash with Sunderland this Wednesday evening have been announced, with Arsene Wenger making a couple of changes to the side that he has stuck with for so long.

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The French manager had named an unchanged side for six consecutive games, but that has changed as we play host to the Black Cats at the Emirates.

Laurent Koscielny was a doubt for the game with the flu (vi the Express), but he seems to have recovered to make the starting XI. Gabriel must continue to settle for a spot on the bench, and may have to wait until next season for his chance to break into the team.

The only change in the back line is at left-back, with Nacho Monreal given a much needed rest. The Spaniard has been excellent this season, but Kieran Gibbs is an able bodied replacement, with the Englishman starting his first game for a while.

It’s unclear exactly how each player will fit into the formation, but one noticeable absence is that of Francis Coquelin. The French midfielder has dropped to the bench for the game, with it clearly thought that Sunderland will sit back and defend for the majority of the game, so a defensive midfielder may not be needed.

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Jack Wilshere has replaced him, getting his first start since November. You would expect the Englishman to be pushed out wide, with Aaron Ramsey moved infield to partner Santi Cazorla.

Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez, and Olivier Giroud keep their places, with few options available as replacements.

Here are the official teamsheets:

.@Arsenal team to play Sunderland: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud #AFCvSFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 20, 2015

.@Arsenal subs: Szczesny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott #AFCvSFC — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 20, 2015

Here are the Sunderland teamsheets:

#SAFC team: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O’Shea (c), Coates, Cattermole, Larsson, Johnson, Graham, Defoe, Wickham. #ARSSUN

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 20, 2015

#SAFC subs: Rodwell, Fletcher, Reveillere, Giaccherini, Vergini, Buckley, Mannone. #ARSSUN

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 20, 2015