Record signing Mesut Ozil could make his Arsenal debut in the Barclays Premier League clash at Sunderland.
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (thigh) is out following injury on international duty, as is France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo (back), but England duo Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are expected to feature along with Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
Defender Thomas Vermaelen (back) has returned to full training and could be included in the squad, although Wednesday's Champions League match against Marseille is a more likely return date. Midfielder Mikel Arteta (thigh) continues his rehabilitation while forward Lukas Podolski (hamstring) is a longer-term absentee as are midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee).
Fabio Borini and Steven Fletcher are set to link up in a new-look Sunderland attack.
New boy Borini will be handed his debut against the Gunners while Fletcher is also pushing for his first start of the season after getting off the bench to score at Crystal Palace two weeks ago.
Jack Colback is expected to keep his place at left-back over Andrea Dossena, while John O'Shea is suspended after his sending-off against the Eagles.
Sunderland (from): Westwood, Mannone, Celustka, Cuellar, O'Shea, Diakite, Roberge, Colback, Cabral, Gardner, Giaccherini, Johnson, Larsson, Ba, Karlsson, Vaughan, Mavrias, Altidore, Fletcher, Wickham, Ji.
Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Monreal, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Fabianski, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Flamini, Gnabry, Akpom.
Source: Sunderland-Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
