Arsenal press conference LIVE: Mikel Arteta on Sunderland, Timber, Jesus comments and team news

Mikel Arteta faces the media ahead of Arsenal's clash with Sunderland in a tricky away clash, which cost the Gunners two points last season. After five wins from five in all competitions, however, Arteta has plenty of reason to believe they can avenge that draw and this time pick up a victory.

The game comes after the first midweek interruption of the season, having played and travelled back from Naples on Wednesday night. Recovery will have been thin on the ground, and so team news will be key, plus clarity on Jurrien Timber, who travelled but was not involved in the squad.

There is also intrigue in the comments made by Gabriel Jesus after his move to Barcelona which have raised further question marks over the communication players have had over the summer regarding their future.

Updates from the Arsenal manager to follow in our football.london live blog...

Arsenal have Martin Odegaard to thank for their opening night victory in the Champions League. The Norwegian skipper sent a piledriver off the post and in to give his side the lead after a host of missed chances.

Despite claiming victorythere was no doubt that if this match was an audition for those not currently favoured by Arteta, little was done to make a strong case for their inclusion away at Sunderland on Saturday night. After four changes to the line-up, there was some disconnection in the side, but those rotated in hardly covered themselves in glory.

Napoli themselves had chances on the counter throughout, especially at the end when Rasmus Hojlund made a hash of a gift of a chance, crossing to nobody when a shot was on. One of the trickiest trips on the Gunners’ calendar is complete and they will be very pleased, as will the back four, two of whom were subline.

Martin Odegaard was the clear man of the match against Napoli for Arsenal but other performances raised big questions(Image: Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal take on Sunderland, aiming to increase their net gain in points from the previous season to plus five. Three games in and maximum points from Coventry City, away to Aston Villa and at home to Chelsea have given Mikel Arteta the perfect kick-off to the new season.

Fresh from a dominant display in Naples, where the one-nil scoreline flattered the Italians, Arteta was able to rotate some of his squad for the clash and even give others a full night off the action. This will certainly be handy considering the Black Cats will have had an additional day to prepare.

A narrow win on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup against Hull City equally gave Regis Le Bris a chance to rest his players, too. For Mikel Arteta, a late Brian Brobbey goal last season cost his side a valuable three points on Wearside.

Bruno Guimaraes and Jurrien Timber are in contention for Arsenal's clash at Sunderland(Image: Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Declan Rice is hungry to play every single week and is ready for another 60-game plus season with Arsenal as they fight on four fronts. For England and Arsenal, the 27-year-old played 69 matches last season, winning the Premier League title and reaching both the League Cup and Champions League final before playing through to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Many have questioned whether or not the former West Ham captain’s output is sustainable after dealing with a neural hamstring issue, but there is no doubt in Rice’s mind what he is capable of.

“I think for the last six seasons, even since my West Ham days when it was in Europe, I've played 60 plus every season,” he said. “So I think it is sustainable because I've shown that I can do it.

Declan Rice has applauded Arsenal's summer transfer business(Image: Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Hello and welcome to football.london's coverage of Mikel Arteta's pre-match press conference.

Our Arsenal reporter Tom Canton is in attendance to bring all the latest updates. Quotes to follow...