One of the immediate responses to Arsenal’s draw with Sunderland on Sunday, amongst the disappointment, was the knowledge that both title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City still must travel to the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal came very close to ending the Black Cats’ unbeaten run in the northeast, but a 94th-minute equaliser from Brian Brobbey was a painful sucker punch. Regis Le Bris has managed to create a resolute side that has already gone to Stamford Bridge and won, while also taking points off Arsenal.

Yet, hopes that a repeat could be materialised when Sunderland face City or Liverpool have been dampened somewhat. The African Cup of Nations is set to start in mid-December.

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While both Liverpool and Manchester City face Le Bris’ side on December 3 and 6, respectively, at their own grounds in the week before players are set to depart, City play the reverse fixture less than a month later. The pair are due to meet at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day.

Sunderland are one of the sides in the league set to lose a significant number of stars due to AFCON participation. In fact, they are due to lose nine players as things stand for the competition.

Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique), Ahmed Abdullahi (Nigeria), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Blondy Nna Noukeu (Cameroon), and Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso) are all expected to play in the tournament. Three of whom started against Arsenal and three others came off the bench.

Sunderland also travel to Tottenham and Brentford while hosting Brighton, Leeds and Crystal Palace before the competition ends. Arsenal will hope that, despite their losses, they can still repeat the impressive performance they put on when City travel to the northeast, but with so many key players missing, it will be quite the test. (Football.London)