Sunderland welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light on Saturday night for one of the biggest Premier League home games of their season.
The Black Cats finished seventh in the Premier League last season and secured European football in the process. They have made another solid start this time around, taking four points from their opening three games.
Arsenal have been perfect so far. Mikel Arteta’s side have won all three of their Premier League games and followed a 2-1 victory over Chelsea with a 1-0 Champions League win against Napoli.
There is also some recent history between these sides. Sunderland held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light last November after Brian Brobbey scored a 94th-minute equaliser. Arsenal will be hoping for a less dramatic ending this time.
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What are the best picks for Sunderland vs Arsenal?
Arsenal to win
Arsenal look well equipped to deal with the challenge Sunderland will pose at the Stadium of Light.
Arteta’s side have become extremely difficult to play through. Their defensive structure allows them to control games without needing to dominate every minute.
The likes of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and their attacking players give them enough quality to create chances when space eventually appears.
Ødegaard is also in excellent form. The Arsenal captain has scored four times in his last five games, including the winner against Napoli on Wednesday.
His ability to find pockets between the midfield and defence could be particularly important against a Sunderland side likely to spend periods defending deep.
There is also the question of Arsenal’s depth. They have had a busy week, but Arteta can bring players off the bench who can change the game.
That could become increasingly important if Sunderland manage to keep things tight for an hour. They have their own European game coming up and you feel that might be in the back of a few minds.
Sunderland should make this uncomfortable, especially with the Stadium of Light behind them.
However, Arsenal have more ways to win the game and should eventually find a way through.
Under 3.5 goals
This could be a tighter game than the quality of Arsenal’s attack might suggest.
Sunderland have scored just once in each of their three Premier League games so far, while Arsenal have conceded only once.
The Black Cats have also kept two clean sheets in their last three competitive matches, so we are not expecting a goal-fest at the Stadium of Light.
They also haven’t conceded a home goal yet this season.
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Where can I watch Sunderland vs Arsenal?
Sunderland vs Arsenal kicks off at 8pm BST on Saturday, September 12 at the Stadium of Light.
The match will be shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max in the UK, with live radio commentary available on talkSPORT.
What have the managers said?
Régis Le Bris
The Sunderland boss knows the scale of the test, but believes his side should embrace the occasion after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.
“It’s an exciting challenge.”
Le Bris will also be hoping Sunderland can use home advantage to make life difficult for the Gunners, having already shown last season that they are capable of competing with the division’s biggest sides.
Mikel Arteta
The Arsenal boss believes his side can still improve despite winning their opening three Premier League games.
“I think it’s an indication for us of how we are capable of performing at an even higher level than last season.”
Arteta also knows Sunderland will provide another difficult test at the Stadium of Light.
“We’ll go to Sunderland and it’ll again be so, so tough. We know every week is going to be like this but that’s what we prepare for.”
What is Sunderland’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fée, Angulo, Fofana; Brobbey.
Injured: Habib Diarra, Romain Mundle
Sunderland are expected to return to a back four. They are also expected to hand a first Premier League start to Malick Fofana.
Diarra remains out with a thigh injury.
What is Arsenal’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Raya; White, Gabriel, Konsa, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Havertz.
Injured: William Saliba, Jurrien Timber.
Doubts: Cristhian Mosquera, Bruno Guimarães.
Arsenal could rotate after their Champions League trip to Naples, but the main players are expected to remain involved.
Saliba is definitely unavailable, while Timber, Mosquera and Guimarães have all had fitness concerns.
Score prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
Sunderland should make life difficult for Arsenal, particularly in front of a packed Stadium of Light.
However, Arsenal have looked extremely solid at both ends of the pitch so far.
With three Premier League wins already on the board and a Champions League victory in Naples, Arteta’s side should have enough to leave Wearside with another three points.
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