Former Gunner Dan Ballard is ready to overlook Sunderland’s upcoming sport in opposition to Manchester Metropolis via harm, however he ought to be again in time to play in opposition to Arsenal.
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report that they perceive is ready for a spell on the sidelines, going through as much as 5 weeks out with an harm.
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In addition to being dangerous information for Ballard and Sunderland, that timeline can be lower than ideally suited for Arsenal.
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Former Arsenal academy centre-back Ballard has been considered one of Sunderland’s key gamers, and a five-week absence would see him dominated out of their video games in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham United, and presumably Burnley.
But Sunderland’s sport in opposition to Arsenal is simply over 5 weeks away, which means the defender ought to be obtainable for the sport.
Arsenal followers gained’t want a lot of a reminder that Ballard offered a aim and an help within the reverse fixture in opposition to his outdated aspect, so his inclusion on the Emirates Stadium might be important. As might his absence for Manchester Metropolis’s go to.
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Up so far, Sunderland have been unbeaten within the Premier League on the Stadium of Gentle, however Manchester Metropolis’s go to will definitely take a look at their squad depth.
Sunderland are lacking six gamers for the Africa Cup of Nations, one via suspension, and now two attributable to harm. In contrast, solely one of many 9 is more likely to miss the journey to Arsenal in early February.