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Arsenal sit atop the Premier League in late January and have both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to return from injury. Pretty reading for Gunners fans all around the world.

However, this season has proved to be one of the most unpredictable yet as both Manchester City and Leicester City are breathing down their necks. Though the Gunners have led the way for a while now, the nature of this season makes it hard to pin down an out and out favourite.

Still, the January transfer window could afford the chance to land some reinforcements at the Emirates. Not only that, key players are due to return from lengthy absences just as the season begins to hot up.

Olivier Giroud is in hot form, while the addition of Petr Cech has stabilised the side in more ways than one. Will this year finally spell the end in Arsene Wenger’s long quest to secure a fourth Premier League title?

That remains to be seen, though here’s the ideal XI for him to do so.,,

PETR CECH

The Czech ‘keeper has finally given the North London giants a shot-stopper to be relied upon. Not since Jens Lehman left has Wenger been able to boast such an important presence between the posts.

When he arrived, his importance has talked up. Despite a dodgy start in the season opener with West Ham, the former Chelsea ‘keeper has shown exactly why the Blues were so keen on keeping him at the club.

A hugely important signing in Arsenal’s recent history, up there with Ozil and Sanchez.

HECTOR BELLERIN

Spanish speedster Hector Bellerin has emerged as a key first-player ever since he was drafted in to replace Mathieu Debuchy last season following his injury.

The 20-year old has not looked back since, using his electric pace to become a key part of the Gunners attack. He’s arguably been the best right-back in the Premier League this season.

While, as you might expect from a young defender, his positional understanding can be improved upon, the former Barcelona youngster has the raw materials to become a world beater.

LAURENT KOSCIELNY

While he’s not the most obvious of leaders, compared to the likes of Tony Adams in the past, Laurent Koscielny has established himself as the most important defender at the club.

The Frenchman is an entirely dependable central defender, combing a surprising level of pace with an astute reading of the game in order to marshal the backline. When the going gets tough, the French international can be tasked to stoutly protect his goalkeeper.

Goodness knows where the Gunners would be had he left for Real Madrid over the summer.

MARQUINHOS

Per Mertesacker performs very well on the whole, though the World Cup winner is still susceptible to odd the lapse in concentration and simply cannot deal with pace. Even in the air, where you would expect the German to naturally excel, can he sometimes look shaky.

John Stones may be the marquee centre-back most talked about, but perhaps Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos represents an easier deal to pull off.

The Brazilian is reportedly eager to leave the French capital due to the fact countrymen David Luiz and Thiago Silva are preferred in starting berths by manager Laurent Blanc. The 21-year old is a gloriously gifted defender but seemingly can’t get a look in at the Ligue 1 champions.

Able to play at either right-back or more centrally, the former Roma ace could develop into a fine player while in North London.

NACHO MONREAL

Nacho Monreal has become one of the most reliable members of this Arsenal side, edging out Kieran Gibbs in the battle to become Wenger’s first choice left-back. Despite a slow start to life at the Emirates, the former Malaga man has become one of the best in the Premier League.

Having improved his defending, the Spaniard provides balance and stability behind Arsenal’s array of attacking stars.

VICTOR WANYAMA

Mohamed Elneny has been drafted in this month in an effort to strengthen the defensive midfield rans, the Egyptian is barely the destroyer the Gunners are crying out so desperately for.

While Francis Coquelin is clearly one of the key cogs in Wenger’s plans, both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are not long term options, leaving the area pretty light after the summer.

Southampton’s Victor Wanyama was at his best against Arsenal in the recent clash between the two, nullifying the in-form Mesut Ozil with relative ease.

If the Kenyan bruiser was able to replicate such exploits in some of the bigger games in the Champions League, the club may have a better chance against elite clubs.

AARON RAMSEY

With Santi Cazorla injured, Aaron Ramsey can be deployed in his more natural central role rather than shunted out to the right of an attacking trio. The Welshman excelled as a box-to-box midfielder two years ago, dragging his team forward and adding plenty of goals to his game.

When paired with a disciplined holding option, the 25-year old can burst forward with his gut-busting approach. He consistently makes clever runs into the box, able to plunder goals when arriving late on to join some of the more intricate passers in the team.

JOEL CAMPBELL

Rather a surprising choice perhaps, but the Costa Rican star has shone during his run of games due to the injury crisis dogging Wenger over the last few months. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks almost entirely bereft of confidence at the moment, while Theo Walcott has been used as more of a centre-forward.

Campbell was excellent against Liverpool and has proved to be a worthy member of the squad, adding two goals and an assist in his eight Premier League starts. No one has really staked a better claim than the 23-year old so far this season.

MESUT OZIL

We don’t really need to justify Mesut Ozil’s inclusion in the starting XI, though we can wax poetic about his talent. 16 assists for the World Cup winning playmaker have made him a strong contender for the Player of the Year award, after a slow start to life in England.

The 27-year old has become a stronger player now he’s into his third season, sculpting himself into somewhat of a talisman recently. His pinpoint accuracy works well with Olivier Giroud, and his eye of the needle vision makes Theo Walcott an ideal striker to play in front of him.

Pure class.

ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Missing since November, the Chilean superstar will be well rested despite his injury issues. While he’s not be at his truly supreme best this season, the former Barcelona man remains one of the club’s most dangerous attackers.

Having him back in contention now the season enters its most crucial stages will give everybody at the club a huge lift. The stalemate with Stoke City was crying out for the dynamism of the 27-year old, making his return even more welcome.

OLIVIER GIROUD

The French striker often has his critics, though he has been in fine fettle so far this season, notching 12 goals in the Premier League as he spearheads the attack. Perhaps Arsene Wenger’s decision not to splash huge money on a big name striker has been justified at last.

While Giroud is only ever a couple of misses away from being entirely lambasted, he has saved the Gunners on numerous occasions this year. Theo Walcott has done well at times when played through the middle, though the Frenchman has stepped up in his absence.

Good news has been hard to come by for Jurgen Klopp since taking the reigns at Anfield a few months back. On the plus side, Liverpool have managed to reach the League Cup Final, but inconsistent form, fixture congestion and injuries to many squad members have been a cause of concern for the German boss.

High profile blows for big-name players such as Martin Skrtel, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho have scuppered the ex-Dortmund boss’ chances of consistent form and selection. In fact it only took a matter of days in the job for the injury-bug to strike Klopp’s newly acquired squad, with promising young left-back Joe Gomez going down with a torn ACL, followed closely by striker Danny Ings with the same unfortunate injury.

It was a cruel blow for the new Liverpool boss, particularly before even getting to see the players in action. But brighter news emerged this week, former Burnley striker Ings posting an inspirational video of his comeback to training. Despite being ahead of schedule, Ings’ return will probably come too late for him to feature again this campaign, but will nevertheless provide Klopp with a welcome tonic moving forward.

Christian Benteke’s poor form has been well documented this season, his woes in-front of goal a source of frustration for both Klopp and the Liverpool supporters, particularly given his £32.5m price tag. So, it seems unlikely the Belgian hit-man will still be at Anfield by the time next season starts, with the side not playing to his strengths, but likewise the player not playing to the team’s strengths.

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With fellow young Belgian Divock Origi still developing and Daniel Sturridge unable to avoid injury for more than a few weeks at best, this opens the door for Ings to make his mark on this Liverpool side. Klopp is likely to have his own ideas on players to bring in, but you feel there are other areas of the squad that need far more work than the attacking options so the splashing of big money on a striker may not be as obvious as first thought.

Ings started the season well in fact, scoring twice in just five games under Brendan Rodgers and impressing far more than the, at the time, first choice striker, Benteke. Given a good run of games, the marksman could easily surpass 10 goals a season in this Liverpool side and his determination and effort in his rehabilitation will not have gone unnoticed by Klopp.

Benteke was bought to the club with an eye towards becoming a focal-point for the attack, holding up the ball and bringing others – whether it be Sturridge, Coutinho or midfield runners – into play. For whatever reason this has not worked out, but Ings also possesses many of those traits that Brendan Rodgers, who bought him to the club, was looking for.

His one full season in the Premier League was ultimately a disappointing one as Burnley were relegated, but from a personal point of view the former England U-21 hit-man impressed. Scoring 11 goals is no mean feat against some of the country’s top defences, but furthermore Ings displayed a fight and tenacity consistent with Sean Dyche’s philosophy for his Clarets side. Hard working and a good team-player, Ings’ ‘lead from the front’ mentality is in stark contrast to the lazy, almost disinterested look about Benteke’s game.

Whilst not the physical speciman of his Belgian team-mate, Ings nevertheless possesses good speed and strength and has a poacher’s instinct when inside the box. With great movement, positioning, excellent finishing and an uncanny knack of knowing where the goal is, he’s a long way from being at the same standard but his play is not dissimilar to that of Klopp’s former front-man at Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski.

This summer will be a key one at Anfield. Given the chance to bring in his own players, and with a full pre-season to work with, Klopp is likely to be judged on what he can achieve with his own side, in his own style. It remains to be seen how this will work out, but the charismatic German boss could do a lot worse than consider Danny Ings as one of his key first-team/squad members and it would certainly be good to see a young, talented English striker given a chance at one of the top clubs in the country.

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So, it all ended in tears – again.

Opinion remains divided as to whether Steve McClaren should have stayed until the end or, as has already happened, been dismissed by Newcastle. It’s inconsequential now because it was out and one in with lightning speed and disdain for the predecessor. Rafa Benitez shuffled in, smiling and waiving his three year contract in the face of McClaren. Metaphorically speaking. McClaren’s humiliation was complete just over a week ago.

McClaren was lampooned years ago when he took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson as England boss. Pictures on the night of England’s defeat against Slaven Bilic’s Croatia showed the same kind of expression that Steve has worn all season long. The kind of ‘What do I do now?’ look that epitomises his reigns.

Many thought that he was unlucky at Derby as the team imploded at the business end of the season and failed to get into the play-off’s. His name was constantly being linked with Newcastle and many bosses will consider the Newcastle job to be a big one and one that should be accepted because it’s Newcastle United.

“Judge me after ten games,” McClaren said after The Magpies faltering start, but the good times never came and eventually, almost cruelly, McClaren was judged. But the timing of his judgement could be questioned. His Newcastle team did nothing of any note other than roll over and die a thousand deaths on the pitches across England.

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With a full ten games left to play, Newcastle’s fixtures did not look too bad. There was hope that maybe something could be salvaged – especially as the North East derby was just around the corner followed by a trip to fellow relegation strugglers, Norwich City. However, it was decided by the football-know-nothings in the corridors of power, that McClaren had done his best with near enough £80m of individual talent, but that his best was critically, not good enough. For a club having spent so much, you would think that somewhere in the altitude of the top ten should have been attainable. So, second from bottom must’ve been a shock.

McClaren’s tenures have not, sad to say, been overly successful. Middlesbrough was slightly different. In his first season, Boro reached the FA Cup semi-final, knocking out his previous employers, Manchester United, in the fourth round, but lost 0–1 to Arsenal. They finished 12th in the league, a small improvement on the previous season’s 14th-place finish. The following season brought another modest improvement, this time finishing 11th, although they had been in higher positions – and the race for a UEFA Cup place – for most of the season.

The 2004 Football League Cup Final between Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers at the Millennium Stadium in the 2003/04 season, was where McClaren guided Boro to victory with a 2–1 win. His, and the club’s, first real taste of success.

McClaren is best remembered as being Ferguson’s ‘No.2’ at Man United, but Middlesbrough was his first journey alone. Despite this victory and a UEFA cup run, it all ended on a sour note, as McClaren’s team were dubbed boring with an overriding sense that if it hadn’t been for the senior players at the club, then nothing would have happened.

With England it was dismal failure as McClaren became the few England coaches, other than Don Revie, to fail to take the national team to the finals of any major international tournament during his tenure.

With surprise to most, Twente in Holland won their first ever title under McClaren and then he left to have another dreadful managerial reign in Germany, before going back to Twente and then resigning.

All in all, McClaren hasn’t had a happy time in management and now his status as a manager lies in tatters for all to see. Maybe he is a better coach and assistant than he is a boss. Players that have worked under McClaren all say that he is a wonderful coach, so that could be his role in life now.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that many others around St James’ Park, from top to bottom within this fractured club are also to blame for the failure this season, but the buck stops with the manager – always.

Whatever he does now and wherever he goes, the sorry tale of Newcastle’s decline will follow him and haunt him to his football retirement.

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Hello internet! Welcome back to THE LAST edition (this season) of Fantasy Premier League Captain Choices, in which we delve into which players could get you a rather significant return on double points if handed the coveted armband.

As usual, before we take a look at our picks this week, we evaluate the five options from last.

1. Anthony Martial (12)

2. Dimitri Payet (12)

3. Daniel Sturridge (2)

4. Eden Hazard (12)

5. Andy Carroll (3)

It was either 12 points or a meagre display in our choices, with Anthony Martial, Dimitri Payet, and Eden Hazard awarding some good returns if they were given the armband for Gameweek 37’s Double Gameweek. However, Andy Carroll and Daniel Sturridge both disappointed big-time, with the duo returning no attacking returns and getting less than a player with a full two games of 4 points.

But now we are on the final gameweek of the season. Does your team have something to play for?

Here are our FIVE FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE CAPTAIN CHOICES ahead of Gameweek 38!

Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero (13.3) is our first choice and is on fine form, having scored in six consecutive Premier League matches since the beginning of April with eight goals.

Recently, the Argentina star was used sparingly by Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as they attempted to beat Real Madrid and progress to the Champions League final, but after being knocked out, expect Aguero to be the first name on his team sheet once again.

Not to mention, Aguero has 24 goals and is only one behind top scorer Harry Kane, giving him additional incentive to score against a Swansea side (albeit in form) that don’t have much to play for.

Harry Kane

Well if Sergio Aguero is eyeing Harry Kane’s (10.2) 25 goals, then it is expected that Kane will also be looking to score and extend his lead at the top of the goalscoring charts.

And it won’t get much easier for the England international this weekend, with Tottenham Hotspur going to St. James’ Park to face a Newcastle United side that have just been relegated.

Not to mention, Spurs have the added incentive of finishing above Arsenal for the first time in decades, and if they do Kane should play a big part of it.

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez (11.0) is an option to be named captain once again with Arsenal playing Aston Villa at the Emirates this weekend.

After two successive blanks, the Chilean found his goalscoring touch with a brilliant finish against Manchester City, pushing his tally to 13 goals so far this season.

Arsenal will also try to win to give them hope of finishing above London rivals Tottenham on the table, and with Villa losing their last six away games, the Gunners are easily favourites to grab three points in Gameweek 38.

Jamie Vardy

Last weekend, Leicester City lifted the Premier League title, something that nobody in their right mind thought they would be saying eight months ago.

And a big reason behind their success was Jamie Vardy (7.4), who has bagged 24 goals for the Foxes this season and will go down history as one of the greatest attackers to ever play for the club. But the story might not end just yet.

Like Sergio Aguero, Vardy is behind Harry Kane by just one goal, and the England star will be eyeing the finish the season as Top Scorer to crown off a truly remarkable campaign when they travel to Chelsea this weekend.

Dimtri Payet

If it wasn’t for Leicester City’s incredible season, the Player of the Year this term might have been West Ham United star Dimitri Payet (8.6), who has delighted Hammers fans and neutrals with his brilliant performances.

And in Gameweek 37, he awarded many that made him Triple Captain, with two late assists justifying their selection giving 12 points (36 with TC).

With nine goals and 13 assists already this season, Payet will look to break into double digits when the Hammers play Stoke City on Sunday, with the Potters not winning their last six games, losing four of them. Could he score another trademark free kick?

Celtic boss Ronny Deila believes he would have done some things differently if he had his time again as Celtic manager.

In an interview with the Daily Record, the Norwegian manager says that he should have been more forthright with his views and been more “revolutionary” in implementing his ideas rather than using the softly, softly approach and making small changes:

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“I would be more revolutionary – looking back I think I chose to do it little by little. You have to be yourself, you have to say, ‘It is my way or the highway.’ That is something I didn’t do. But again, it is hard to say. If I had done that, maybe it would have been very hard on the players, with things being different from what they were used to.”

Deila also believes it was challenging to play the most important game of the season, the Champions League qualifier, in the first match of each campaign and he believes that perhaps if he had been more assured and changed things more radically early on, qualification to the group stages may have been a greater possibility:

“You also have to play the most important games first. It’s a difficult situation. You try to get results along the way. I know now you always get a little bit of time.If I’d known that at the time I’d have been harder at first – this is the way we do it. Bang, bang, bang. The end product would have been better.”

Deila will manage his last game against Motherwell at Celtic Park this weekend with a new manager expected to be in place by the end of the month with talks with potential new managers already under way.

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Arsenal are considering a move for Croatia star Ivan Perisic this summer as a potential replacement for Theo Walcott, according to talkSPORT (who cite reports emanating from Italy.)

The 27-year old Inter Milan forward has been mightily impressive for his nation in France this summer, despite their second round exit at the hands of Portugal last night.

He notched the vital winner over Spain earlier this week and has previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.

With doubts over Walcott’s long-term future in North London, Arsene Wenger is believed to retain an interest in the former Wolsburg man.

Like the Gunners ace, Perisic is able to be deployed in wide areas, providing pace and a palpable goal threat in equal measure.

Walcott, meanwhile, has been linked with moves to both West Ham United and Liverpool this summer after failing to wholly convince across his decade at the Emirates Stadium.

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What’s the best thing about winning the Premier League? Is it the adulation? The fame? The glory? The chance to call yourself a Premier League champion? Maybe even the chance to jaunt off to Ibiza to knock back a few cold bottles of sweet sweet WKD.https://vine.co/v/ixOZwOBhlH6Well, if you’re Leicester City, it seems that the favour of the chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, is perhaps the best part.The Foxes chairman and owner of Thai duty free company King Power has taken some of his super wealth and bestowed it upon his Premier League winning squad, buying his players a £100,000 BMW i8 each.But, not quite every player.19 BMWs took pride of place outside Leicester’s training ground today, and we certainly hope they don’t all decide to drive them around Leicester at the same time – like some bizarre footballer-bling version of the Hells Angels.

But there were four members of the Foxes’ squad that didn’t get a car. Andrej Kramaric, Yohan Benalouane and Joe Dodoo who all had loan spells away from the club in the second half of last season were not bathed in the warm glow of the chairman – and all three players have now departed the club again on permanent deals.

The fourth member of the no-car squad, however, is a slightly more important member of the triumph last season. Player of the Year award nominee N’Golo Kante was also left out of the group to be given a gift, despite his stellar performances last season.

Kante’s £30m move from Leicester to Chelsea has left a bad taste in the mouth of FoxesÂfans, and it’s clearly reasonable that the chairman wouldn’t buy him a car… still – here’s what you could have won!

You’ve made your own bed N’Golo! Still, if he wants a car, he can probably just go and get one himself withÂhis new Chelsea wage!

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The Chelsea fans here in the Football Transfer Tavern aren’t alone in their love for the club from SW6…

With a reach around the globe, it is no surprise that Chelsea have fans across the Atlantic and beyond.

Much has been made of Chelsea’s global fan base, and the Blues are also known to promote the fact that people of all backgrounds support the club.

This extends to those at the top of the pile, with Chelsea receiving support from some hugely well-known figures from around the world.

From Sportsmen to Musicians, Actresses to Chefs – many a renowned figure has been known to enjoy their weekends at Stamford Bridge.

With that said, here are FOUR celebs you probably had no idea supported Chelsea…

Gordon Ramsey

Gordon Ramsey is more well known for screaming at wannabe chefs at the weekends; but he has also been known to enjoy a spot of football on a Saturday afternoon.

Ramsey does have an affiliation with the sport of course, having played for Rangers at youth level.

The Scottish chef is often spotted at Stamford Bridge, and is often in town because of his work commitments in the capital.

Our landlord thinks it’s a good job that Chelsea are often quite successful – otherwise, they might get the wrath of Ramsey too…

Will Ferrell

Despite being across the pond, Actor Will Ferrell has gained notoriety amongst the more diehard Chelsea fans for his love of the Blues.

He often joins the club on their pre-season tours of America, and whilst he is rarely spotted at Stamford Bridge – his love for the club is clear.

The Blues have built quite the fan base in the US, and Will Ferrell is often seen meeting the Chelsea players when they’re in that part of the world.

Our landlord had no idea…

Lil Wayne

Well, this is a weird one…

Lil Wayne doesn’t strike anyone in the Football Transfer Tavern as a football fan – but apparently, he is!

The American rapper is much more well known for his music career than his sports clubs – but Chelsea are seemingly at the top of his list.

He has gone on stage several times donning Chelsea blue, and he appears to be a big fan of the club.

We aren’t sure we’ll see him at Stamford Bridge any time soon…But you never know!

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton is an original blue! He was there before it all changed for the boys from SW6!

Whilst he has not publicly expressed his support for the club, nor has he been spotted at the club recently; Bill Clinton is actually a Chelsea supporter. Yes, the one that used to be the President of the United States all those years ago…

Clinton was regularly spotted at Stamford Bridge whilst he studied in Oxford during the 1960s, and by all accounts, he built quite an affiliation with the club.

To add further evidence: his daughter is called Chelsea! Surely that isn’t a coincidence?

Who would have thought it?

Despite only picking up a point in their last league game against Middlesbrough, Arsenal go into their showdown with Sunderland this weekend as red-hot favourites.

Arsene Wenger’s men sit joint top of the Premier League, with only Manchester City ahead on goal difference.

All-in-all, it’s been an encouraging start to the season for Arsene Wenger’s men, but if they want to seriously challenge for the title come the business end of the campaign, then this is the sort of game they must win.

And here at Football Fancast, we’re expecting them to do just that, as they look to extend their stay at the top of the Premier League – putting more pressure on their title rivals in the process.

So with that in mind, how should Wenger line up his troops for the game against Sunderland? Here’s our Arsenal XI that will bring the points home against David Moyes’ team…

GK: Petr Cech

Former Chelsea man Cech very much kept his side in the game against Middlesbrough, pulling off a string of fantastic saves.

He’ll be hoping for a quieter afternoon at the Stadium of Light but will be relying on his defence to put up in better shift too.

RB: Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin is very much the description of a modern-day full-back, one who loves to bomb forward and join in attacks.

Defensively, he’s very much improved but he’ll have to be wary during the game against Sunderland – they might be struggling, but they do have quality in their forward ranks. Bellerin will have to be switched on the keep the likes of Whabi Khazri and Jermain Defoe quiet.

CB: Shkodran Mustafi

Shkodran Mustafi has slotted into this Arsenal back line with relative ease and with him in their ranks, they look better defensively than we’ve seen them for a long time.

Laurent Koscielny finally has a defensive partner he looks comfortable alongside and going forward, there is real promise this centre-back partnership could help deliver silverware.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

French centre-back Laurent Koscielny has sometimes been criticised throughout his Gunners career but with Mustafi playing alonside him, he’s looking sturdier than ever.

Neither Gabriel Paulista or Per Mertesacker have ever filled the Gunners faithful with extreme confidence but the Koscielny-Mustafi partnership has created a real basis at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.

LB: Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal has enjoyed quite the rise since signing for Arsenal and despite once struggling to get a game at the Emirates Stadium, he’s now the first-choice left-back.

His tireless energy, willingness to get forward and improved defensive work have seen him improve exponentially and keep Kieran Gibbs out of the team.

CDM: Mohamed Elneny

Former Basel man Mohamed Elneny was handed a rare start in the game against Middlesbrough and he completely justified Arsene Wenger’s decision to do so.

He looked comfortable, calm and collected on the ball and moved it around the park effectively. Whilst the final breakthrough wasn’t there on the day, Elneny’s performance was extremely encouraging indeed.

CDM: Francis Coquelin

Coquelin looked a little out-of-sorts in the 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough and he was clearly missing the presence of Santi Cazorla alongside him in midfield.

Elneny did an extremely apt job in the centre-of-the-park but at times, Coquelin seemed a little rushed.

However, on the whole this season, the Frenchman has been very good and deserves the chance to go again against Sunderland.

RM: Theo Walcott

England international Theo Walcott is another man who has enjoyed quite the resurgence in recent weeks and he’s now looking very much like the player we anticipated when he first arrived in London from Southampton.

He’s been quick, aggressive and clinical, netting five times and bagging two assists in the Premier League already this season.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil is playing some of the best football of his career and when he’s on form, Arsenal are an extremely difficult team to beat.

His skill, creativity and downright unpredictability make him a real force and we think he could be the man to unlock Sunderland, who might be prepared to take a draw in this one.

LM: Alex Iwobi

Rising starlet Alex Iwobi is enjoying plenty of first-team action this campaign and he’s looking comfortable in this current Arsenal set-up.

Despite the plethora of talent he has playing around him, he looks very much part of this Arsenal team and a good performance against Sunderland certainly wouldn’t harm his growing reputation.

ST: Alexis Sanchez

Arguably the easiest name to pick on this team sheet is Alexis Sanchez, who was unlucky not to score in the game against Middlesbrough last weekend.

He has a fantastic habit of cropping up with important goals and you wouldn’t bet against the Chilean scoring the winner in the game against the Black Cats either.

Why is the international break so loathed by us all? Maybe it’s the lack of excitement surrounding the two-week separation from our favourite teams that makes it all the more boring and hard to digest.

Our TV time is left empty and many of us flick from channel to channel in search of anything that reminds of us the good old days when we could watch a game of football from somewhere in the world.

It has become a tradition to look upon the two-week break with much detest as our teams’ best players head away on international duty and the fear of the unknown falls upon us all.

But what could be done to make the period more exciting and stop thousands of supporters across the land going into a lull? Here are FIVE things…

Believe the players care

How can anyone find international football so exciting when the players themselves look like they are being forced to line up for their countries when they really want to be elsewhere?

Far too often we see our favourite players head out for their respective countries and fail to care or provide the same passion and effort they do for their clubs.

Maybe if supporters up and down the country could believe the players care, then all of us would be more eager to tune in.

Give fans something to believe in

For 50 years England fans have been forced to watch their national team being dubbed the next generation of stars and one that will finally end their long wait for success in a major international tournament.

In fairness, most of the pressure comes from the media which feeds into supporters’ expectations but if fans finally believed that success could be around the corner, national pride may be re-established.

Until the sense of pride returns, we may not find the break exciting whatsoever.

Drop players who aren’t performing

Far too regularly we have seen England players picked for the national team because of the team they play for and not how well they’re performing for their clubs.

A large sense of politics seems to be evident in the FA at the moment with Wayne Rooney not deserving of his place in the squad, while Troy Deeney is putting in excellent performances for Watford on a regular basis.

Maybe if players like Danny Drinkwater went to EURO 2016 instead of the undeserving Jack Wilshere fans may believe that England are worth watching.

Get rid of friendlies

Teams who are not competing in competitive international games should not be allowed take players away to play in a meaningless friendly.

Far too often key players go away on international duty and return with an injury after representing their country.

If players were going away to represent their nations in competitive matches then maybe fans would believe they would be tuning into a competitive game of football instead of watching plumbers from Andorra take on Brazil because their FAs wanted some cash.

Cut them down

The old saying ‘less is more’ is crucial to this argument as if fans had to watch less international football the argument for it being exciting would become more obvious.

If fans were made to miss watching their national teams then they would be chomping at the bit to see their countries in action.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, that’s for sure, and if we saw England less than we do, I for one would be more excited for the two-week break we have all grown to hate.