The demanding schedule of the Premier League is set for a major shake-up, with the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) poised to create a significant imbalance in the fixture list. While Arsenal have already faced a full-strength Sunderland, their London rivals are set to benefit from the Black Cats' impending player exodus.
The Sunderland Squad Set for AFCON Duty
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris is facing a potential selection crisis, with as many as seven key players likely to be called up for international duty. This mid-season tournament presents a major inconvenience for European clubs, disrupting squad continuity during one of the busiest periods of the campaign.
The players expected to depart include Habib Diarra (Senegal), whose groin injury is not anticipated to prevent his call-up, and Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast). Defenders Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku are strong contenders for DR Congo, while Reinildo (Mozambique) and Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso) will also represent their nations. Furthermore, Chemsdine Talbi is now also tipped for selection, which could leave Sunderland critically short for a difficult four-week period.
London Clubs Poised to Capitalise on Weakened Opponent
This mass departure creates a stark contrast in the challenges faced by Premier League opponents. Arsenal travelled to the Stadium of Light and encountered a competitive Sunderland side, battling to a 2-2 draw. Their title rivals, however, will face a significantly depleted team.
Manchester City, for instance, play Sunderland on New Year's Eve before the AFCON group stages have concluded, guaranteeing they will not face the Black Cats at full strength. The situation highlights a strange anomaly in the football calendar, where European clubs might prefer their international fixtures to be consolidated rather than spread across several blocks.
North London and Beyond Set for Advantage
The ripple effect of the tournament will be keenly felt in London. Tottenham Hotspur are positioned to benefit when they host Sunderland on January 4th. While Spurs may also have players absent, the match could be decided by which club possesses superior squad depth to cope with the absences.
The scheduling gets even more favourable for other capital clubs. Brentford are due to face Sunderland just days after the Tottenham fixture, and Crystal Palace will play them later still. Both the Bees and the Eagles will be hoping Sunderland's African contingent progress deep into the tournament, ensuring their continued absence from Premier League duty.
Players eliminated after the group stages might theoretically be available for these fixtures, but starting them could be a risk due to lengthy travel back to England and the stark difference in climate. If Sunderland are drawn in the third round of the FA Cup, manager Le Bris could be forced to field a heavily rotated team from an already depleted squad, offering a further potential advantage to their cup opponents.
