Lorik Cana is looking to return with a bang this week and take out his frustration on Barclays Premier League title challengers Arsenal.
The Albanian hardman and Sunderland captain was forced to look on from the stands last week as he missed the 2-0 defeat at Spurs after picking up five yellow cards.
Eased back into action with his country during the international break, Cana has his sights firmly set on Arsene Wenger's Gunners after being unable to face their London rivals last week.
Booked early on during the 2-2 draw with West Ham, the 26-year-old triggered an automatic one-match ban - his first suspension of the season since arriving on Wearside for £5m in the summer.
Speaking exclusively to safc.com, he said: "It was very hard for me to watch my own team-mates from the sidelines [at Spurs]. I could not do anything; especially for myself it is very frustrating.
"But I did not have a choice and it was important for me to be there with them and support them even though I could not play.
"The minimum result should have been a draw because we played well for the first 70 minutes, when we were the best team on the pitch."
Arsenal have started the season in fine form and are currently enjoying a 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Their last defeat was at Manchester City on 12th September.
Facing a midfield anchored by world-class playmaker Cesc Fabregas, Cana says he and his colleagues must stamp their authority on the game early to give themselves the best possible chance of obtaining a result.
He added: "Arsenal are a very good team, no doubt, and they will be up there with Manchester United and Chelsea.
"They have been playing very well - especially in the last few weeks - and are a threat whether at home or away.
"They build from the middle, approaching the goal with quick passes and lots of movement and runs. We will have to have a good organisation and communicate well, but we have the players and the system to find a solution to this team."
Sunderland have already shown they can live with the big boys this season, delivering excellent performances against Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool to bag four points from the three contests.
It would have been six barring an unlucky own goal from Anton Ferdinand which earned United a late, late point at Old Trafford last month.
Cana says the Black Cats must learn to be more consistent but feels his Sunderland side "will be ready" to go head-to-head with Wenger's men.
He explained: "Sometimes when we play against the big teams we already bring up our level of concentration, performance and fighting spirit.
"Now we need to keep that all the time and not lose it like we have in two or three games. But on Saturday I am sure we will be ready and we can do well."
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