Sunderland v Arsenal Preview

Finally. Time to get back to some Premier League action and the Gunners kick-off the pos-international break away to Sunderland.

Before the break Arsenal were in great form, undefeated in their 13 games in all competitions, and taking 19 points from a possible 21. Then came the International break and injuries. Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs all came back from national duty injured.

“It’s Eduardo and Carlos Vela who will have the main central striking role for now,” said Wenger at Friday’s press conference. “That is a very important part in our play as we have a lot of offensive players and most of the time their game comes off this player. They can do that very well, for me.”

Sunderland are winless in their last three league games, but the Stadium of Light is a tough place to go as Sunderland has 13 points out of a possible 18 there.

TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
As well as Van Persie, Gibbs and Clichy, Arsenal are without striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and centre-half Johan Djourou (knee).

Denilson returns after nine weeks out and fit-again Theo Walcott is also in the squad.

Last starting XI (v Wolves): Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Gibbs, Diaby (Song), Fabregas, Ramsey, Arshavin (Nasri 74), Eduardo (Rosicky 70), Van Persie.
Subs not used: Mannone, Senderos, Silvestre, Eboue.

Sunderland
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon is ruled out for around three months after suffering a broken arm in a collision with Spurs striker Jermain Defoe last time out. He joins midfielder Lee Cattermole, recovering from knee ligament damage, on the sidelines.

Defender John Mensah (calf) and winger Bolo Zenden (hip) could be back in contention, but centre-back Michael Turner is suspended, as is Kenwyne Jones.

Last starting XI (v Tottenham): Gordon (Fulop 66), Bardsley (Ferdinand 77), McCartney, Turner, Da Silva, Malbranque (Healy 77), Richardson, Henderson, Reid, Campbell, Bent.
Subs not used: Nosworthy, Meyler, Reid, Murphy.

Head-to-head

These sides have met on 135 previous occasions. Arsenal have won 51 to Sunderland’s 48.
Arsenal have not lost any of their last 11 league meetings with Sunderland, but both matches last season ended as draws.
Cesc Fabregas has scored in both of his Premier League appearances at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal Facts

Arsene Wenger’s side are undefeated in their last seven league outings (13 in all competitions), taking 19 points from a possible 21.
No club has ever scored so many goals (36) after 11 Premier League games. The last team to score more than the Gunners in the top-flight after 11 games was Tottenham Hotspur in 1963/64 (40).
Cesc Fabregas has been credited with 10 assists already this season – matching his total for the whole of last season.
Denilson has made 99 appearances for the Gunners.

PREDICTION

This is a tricky game for Arsenal. Sunderland is a difficult place to visit at the best of times, never mind coming off a short-week due to International games. Then you have the Champions league coming up in mid-week and the massive game against Chelsea next weekend, so it would be easy for Arsenal to be caught looking past this game.

But this is an Arsenal team that is maturing and I expect them to pick back up where they left off before the break and put in a workmen like performance and get all three points.

Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal