Sunderland host Arsenal in a top of Premier League showdown at the Stadium of Light.
Victory can lift Sunderland up to second until Sunday afternoon and to within four points of Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, whilst Arsenal can move nine points clear at the summit with a win.
Team News
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw against Everton.
Omar Alderete (concussion), Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Dennis Cirkin (wrist) are still sidelined.
Arsenal could again be without goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga after he sat out their Champions League away win at Slavia Prague due to a knock.
Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli (both muscle), Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (all knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Arsenal at Stadium of Light on Saturday 8 November at 5:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland are winless in their last 15 league meetings against Arsenal (D5, L10).
- Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last seven league visits to Sunderland (W5, D2).
- None of the six goalscorers in Arsenal’s last meeting against Sunderland in December 2021 remain at neither club, with the Gunners having won 5-1 in their League Cup Quarter-Final that season.
- Sunderland have kept two clean sheets in their last five matches (W3, D1, L1).
- Arsenal are looking to set a new club record of nine consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
Prediction
Lucky to snatch a draw after a sloppy opening half hour against Everton, Sunderland absolutely have to be on it from the get go if want to get anything against the league leaders, starting with ideally getting the first goal because this is a tough game for them even before stepping onto the pitch.
Arsenal meanwhile are absolutely solid defensively at present and given how they clinically dismantled Slavia Prague in a clinical display, you have to think that the only thing that could trip them up is their own confidence such is their consistency and form lately.
Sunderland however did come from behind to beat Chelsea away a fortnight ago so even if Arsenal get the first goal, they must kill off the game quickly otherwise the Black Cats will fancy their chances of getting something given their home form this season.
I personally don’t see that happening because Arsenal should prove just too strong.
Prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal
Result: Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal