Trai Hume must take golden chance vs Arsenal after Sunderland injury news
Trai Hume has been a regular for Sunderland this season, but that could change.
Sunderland host Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, looking to extend their unbeaten home run, which currently stands at five games.
Steve Bruce holds the record with 10, and Regis Le Bris will be well aware of how difficult it is going to be to surpass that this season.
One of those who has been crucial to their success is Hume, and the Northern Ireland international needs to perform against the Gunners, not just for Sunderland’s sake, but also his own.
Trai Hume could lose his place in the near future
Let’s start by stating the facts: Hume has been excellent for Sunderland this season.
However, the Black Cats’ summer recruitment overhaul saw them bring in some top-level defenders, and each week at least one of them is going to miss out.
On Saturday, that will be Omar Alderete, who is expected to return from injury after the international break as a result of a concussion suffered a few weeks ago.
However, when he returns, there is a case to be made that Sunderland’s best defensive options don’t include Hume, with Nordi Mukiele and Dan Ballard in particular undroppable.
Lutsharel Geertruida has been flawless since he was brought into the starting 11, and if Le Bris persists with him, it could see Mukiele start at right back.
Hume had an uncharacteristically poor game against Everton, and if he fails to perform against the Gunners, he could be next to lose his place.
Sunderland’s successful start has been detrimental to specific players
When the likes of Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee and Noah Sadiki are performing the way they are, there is next to no chance of others breaking into the team.
Sunderland, aside from their two defeats, have been near-flawless this season, and as a result, several players who would have been expected to play a big part haven’t been afforded the chance.
That includes the likes of Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson, and with how strong Sunderland’s defensive options are now, Hume is edging closer to being the next name on that list.
Once again, that isn’t a slight on the 23-year-old, but more a showcase of the depth at the Stadium of Light.
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