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Sunderland Vs Arsenal: Team News, Lineups, Match Facts, Preview & Prediction

With Sunderland coming off the back of a eight goal thrashing, if it was any other time other than this we could comfortably say that Arsenal are the favourites. However given Arsenal’s own wobbly form at the moment, having taken two very late goals to rescue the 3 points at Anderlecht, there is a genuine risk of Arsenal dropping even more points today. Sunderland, on their part, are probably the biggest jekyll and hyde team in the Premier League so don’t let the 8 goal thrashing fool you. The Black Cats will always be a threat at the Stadium of Light and this match will definitely be another test of character for Arsene Wenger’s makeshift team.

Sunderland Vs Arsenal Team News:

Arsenal

Wojciech Szczesny will return to the goal from the Champions League match. Mikel Arteta is now fully fit and expect him to play a part in the match in place of the offcolour Frenchmen Mathieu Flamini. Also Calum Chambers is set to continue in the right back slot from his Champions League encounter as he served out his one match ban last week. However that is where the good news end for Arsenal. Jack Wilshere is suspended and Laurent Koscielny is still out injured which means the left back Nacho Monreal will have to play in an unfamiliar position once more.

Sunderland

Compared to Arsenal, Sunderland looks like the paragon of health at the moment. Not many problems in the side injury wise except for Sebastian Coates who is out till next month. The Italian international Emanuele Giaccherini and the exceedingly talented Ricky Alvarez are also out for this match and probably the next one as well.

Tactics:

From an Arsenal point of view it is not difficult to predict what Arsene Wenger will try to do. He will look to use his fast paced players like Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez to get behind the Sunderland defence nice and early. With the eight goal thrashing still fresh in their minds, Arsene Wenger will try to ensure that Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez try to put as much pressure as possible on the Sunderland to try and force a mistake. Speed will be a vital element for the match tomorrow. Also Arsene Wenger will be hoping that his own makeshift defence holds up against this very unpredictable Sunderland side.

On the other hand it is not difficult to see what Gus Poyet’s side will do tomorrow. Pack the midfield and try to press the Arsenal players nice and early. Also special attention will be given to Mikel Arteta (should he start) so that Arsenal are not able to build up the momentum of attacks through him. Lee Cattermole will be crucial tomorrow from a Sunderland point of view.

Sunderland Vs Arsenal Possible starting lineups

Sunderland: Pantilimon; Reveillere, Brown, O’Shea, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell; Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher

Arsenal: Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs; Flamini; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Cazorla, Sanchez; Welbeck

Sunderland Vs Arsenal Match Facts:

  • Arsenal are on a nine-match unbeaten run against Sunderland in the Premier League and are vying to win at the Stadium of Light for the fourth season in a row.
  • Sunderland’s only win in their last 21 league meetings with Arsenal came at the Stadium of Light in November 2009, when Darren Bent scored in a 1-0 victory.
  • However, they did beat Arsenal 2-0 at home in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February 2012.
  • Sunderland’s 8-0 defeat at Southampton last weekend equalled their club record defeat in all competitions. It was their heaviest loss for 32 years.
  • However, they are unbeaten at home in the league this season with one win and three draws
  • The Gunners have won just one of their last seven league games, drawing five of the other six.
  • Eleven points from eight games represents Arsenal’s second worst league start to a season under Arsene Wenger. They had 10 points from eight games in 2011-12. If Arsenal fail to win on Saturday it will be their worst performance after nine games in the Wenger era

Facts compiled from BBC

Sunderland Vs Arsenal Prediction:

Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal

As bad as Arsenal has been you cannot see anything but three points for the Gunners here.