Arsenal v Sunderland preview

Arsenal host Sunderland on Wednesday, with the Black Cats needing a solitary point to secure their status in the top flight.

Dick Advocaat's team are on track for their second consecutive great escape as they sit 16th - three points above Hull, who currently occupy the final relegation spot.
The visitors have lost only one of their last six matches - a 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

The Gunners secured their passage to next year's Champions League group stage with a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and second spot is still possible if they win both remaining games and Manchester City fail to get anything at home to Southampton on the final day.

The hosts will be keen to put in a good performance as they look to show Arsene Wenger they are worth a starting spot at Wembley, ahead of the FA Cup final on May 30.

Arsenal are likely to be without Laurent Koscielny as the defender recovers from a bout of the flu so Brazilian defender Gabriel could start alongside Per Mertesacker in central defence.

Mathieu Debuchy is not expected to return to full training until Friday and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck are also unavailable. Theo Walcott, whose deflected strike earned the Gunners a point in Manchester, may feature from the off.

Defender Billy Jones has become the latest injury problem for Sunderland after picking up a muscle problem in the goalless draw with Leicester.

Wes Brown, Jordi Gomez and Ricky Alvarez all remain sidelined through knee injuries' while Jack Rodwell is out with a hamstring strain.