Arsenal are on a high at the moment, with three Premier League wins in a row seeing them return to the top four at the halfway point of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta has his side in arguably the best shape it has been since he arrived as manager, and they could be competing for silverware in the League Cup as they face Sunderland for a spot in the semi-finals on Tuesday night.

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The Spaniard will likely make a number of changes to face the League One outfit with games coming thick and fast in the league, but the Gunners will still look a formidable opposition to the Black Cats.

Bernd Leno should return in goal and resume his role as cup goalkeeper, while there could be starts for Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares in the full-back positions, with Rob Holding and Calum Chambers between them.

Granit Xhaka could be forced to play again in midfield with Albert Sambi Lokonga recovering from COVID-19, and Mohamed Elneny should come in to play alongside him in the double pivot.

Nicolas Pepe will be keen for a good display having been well and truly displaced by the competition in the Arsenal side, and he should start on the right-hand side of midfield.

Emile Smith-Rowe was limited to a substitute appearance in the 4-1 win over Leeds at the weekend but still managed to come on and score, and he could start in the No.10 role with Eddie Nketiah providing width on the left.

As Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s disciplinary issues continue to bubble in the background, stand-in skipper and centre forward Alexandre Lacazette will likely lead the side again, though the Frenchman has just one goal in 11 games in all competitions.

Arsenal starting XI versus Sunderland