Diaby and Vermaelen miss trip north for Gunners

Arsenal will again be without midfielder Abou Diaby (ankle) and centre-back Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) for tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland.

England youngster Jack Wilshere is pressing to retain his starting place alongside captain Cesc Fabregas, while winger Tomas Rosicky and England full-back Kieran Gibbs could be involved having sat out the midweek 6-0 Champions League victory over Braga as manager Arsene Wenger considers rotating the squad.