2026-27 Premier League: Week Four – Sunderland vs Arsenal

Sunderland face reigning Premier League champions, Arsenal in a tough test on Wearside. 

Victory can lift Sunderland into the top ten, whilst Arsenal can go top with at least a draw until at least Sunday evening.

 

Team News

Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns after their 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Hull in midweek.

Habib Diarra (hamstring) and Romaine Mundle (knee) remain ruled out.

Arsenal could welcome Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber back from respective muscle and groin injuries.

Manager, Mikel Arteta otherwise has no fresh injury concerns following the Gunners’ 1-0 Champions League win at Napoli in midweek.

William Saliba remains absent with a back injury.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Sunderland meet Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 12 September at 5:30pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Sunderland are winless in their last 17 league meetings against Arsenal (D6, L11).
• Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last eight league visits to Sunderland (W5, D3).
• Enzo Le Fee has produced more shots this season than any other Sunderland player in the top flight (7).
• Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has scored twice from five shots on target in the Gunners’ opening three league games.

 

Prediction

Having grinded out a 1-1 draw at Brentford in their last league outing through a penalty after a wasteful yet dominant first half, Sunderland continued their strong performance in their cup win but they only put 3 of 13 shots onto target so their final touch needs to be tidier if want a result here.

Arsenal however had their own end product issues away to Napoli with just 8 of 26 shots converted onto target in a dominant display, so I reckon Mikel Arteta will rightly expect a much sharper performance such is the quality within his team.

Sunderland though played their midweek game 24 hours earlier than Arsenal so fitness might come into play if the Gunners don’t finish this match quickly, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this ends in another draw on Wearside.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal