Gibbs and Randall could get Sunderland chance

Arsenal youngsters Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall could get their Premier League chance on Sunday when Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland. With third place already secure for the Gunners and Sunderland safe from relegation, both sides will have little to play for and Wenger may decide to use it as a stage to blood some more highly rated prospects. Last season, Wenger named five youngsters on the bench for the final day trip to Portsmouth and is keen to let them experience the matchday atmosphere. Speaking to Arsenal TV, he said

I could give one or two players an early breather because they go to Euro 2008 or the African qualifiers.

So Kieran Gibbs, who got on the bench last weekend, could be involved again, so could Mark Randall. But I am really not sure yet.

Gibbs and Randall have both only recently returned from loan spells and judging by these comments from Wenger, it seems as if they are both in his long term plans as he is showing a lot of faith in them. I wouldn’t be suprised if both of these players went on loan again next season.

Another possible candidate to feature against Sunderland is Jay Simpson, who marked his return from a loan spell at Millwall by scoring a hat-trick against Dorchester on Tuesday. Nacer Barazite has also been tipped for a first-team call up.