Four Arsenal stars drop early team news hints for Sunderland amid Mikel Merino decision

A number of Arsenal players have taken to social media to drop early team news hints ahead of their Premier League clash with Sunderland this evening (5.30pm).

Arsenal will be looking to continue their impressive start to the season and extend their lead at the top of the table when they head to Tyne and Wear to take on Sunderland. Mikel Arteta's side have a six-point advantage over Manchester City in the current standings, while reigning champions Liverpool are seven points adrift in third and both clubs are set to go head-to-head on Sunday.

A victory would see the Gunners go nine points clear, but Sunderland are yet to lose a game at home this season. They are unbeaten in their last three games following wins over Wolves, Chelsea and a draw with Everton.

• Arsenal vs Crystal Palace fixture saga takes new turn as UEFA reject request
• What Granit Xhaka is doing behind the scenes at Sunderland to help inspire Arsenal victory

Withsome players set to miss the encounter due to injury, those expected to feature have taken to Instagram to post pre-match updates. Ahead of the showdown, Mikel Merino was joined by Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber andLeandro Trossard in posting a pre-match graphic preview.

Historically, this suggests they will likely all be involved - at least in some capacity.

Merino is aiming for his fourth league start, while Hincapie is yet to make a start for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, Timber has been a regular, starting in all-but one game, and Trossard could be in line for another start.

Arteta isn't anticipating a straight forward game, however, and he's admitted he's not surprised by the Black Cats' performances so far.

He said: "Not surprised. When you analyse them and see how well-organised they are, how they adjust things and the spirit they have within the team, I'm not surprised.

"They fully deserve the position that they have at the moment. We know the type of game that we expect to play tomorrow [on Saturday] and where the opportunities are and the things that we have to do very well to beat them - and that's what we're going to try to do."

For the latest news and breaking news, visit football.london. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you for the capital's clubs.

Shining a light on all the issues fans really want to know about and providing rolling coverage of the latest news, football.london's writers give you the bigger picture on your club by knowing the little details inside-out.

Follow us on X @Football_LDN - for the all latet news as it happens in real time.

Sign up for one of football london's free daily and weekly newsletters on your club by clicking here.