Arsenal vs Sunderland preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Sunderland are looking to put together a run of form as they travel to face Arsenal on Saturday.
The Black Cats are well in the race for European football after they got back to winning ways against Burnley last time out at the Stadium of Light, leaving them eighth in the standings on 36 points.
Sunderland face a much tougher test this weekend though, with Regis Le Bris’ side travelling to league leaders Arsenal.
Mackem News takes a look at everything that supporters should know ahead of the clash at the Emirates.
Preview
After losing 3-1 to West Ham last time out on the road, Sunderland responded fantastically with an emphatic 3-0 win against Burnley on Monday.
Goals from Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi secured all three points, after an Axel Tuanzebe own goal set the tone in the early stages.
The Black Cats had previously won just once in seven Premier League outings, stretching back to their derby victory against Newcastle in December.
Sunderland held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw on home soil back in November, giving them confidence heading into this weekend’s encounter in North London.
When it comes to Arsenal, they fell to a 3-2 defeat last time out at the Emirates in the league, losing to Manchester United.
Though the Gunners have since responded fantastically with three wins on the bounce in the Champions League, Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Form guide – All competitions
Arsenal: WWWLW
Sunderland: WLWDL
Head-to-head
You have to go back 14 years to 2012 to find the most recent Sunderland win against Arsenal, and even further back to 2002 for a Black Cats away win, with Sunderland picking up a 3-2 win at Highbury.
The sides played out a 2-2 draw on Wearside in October – their last meeting since Arsenal’s 5-1 League Cup victory in 2021.
During Sunderland’s most recent Premier League season of 2016/17, the Gunners picked up six points against Saturday’s opponents, winning 4-1 and 2-0 respectively.
Read more: Every Sunderland player now set to leave in summer: Romaine Mundle and 13-goal striker
Team news and predicted lineups
Granit Xhaka remains sidelined against his former employers, after missing both of the last two league matches against West Ham and Burnley.
Trai Hume has held the captain’s armband in his absence, and is expected to continue doing so in his rather flexible wing-back role.
Bertrand Traore is expected to return alongside Xhaka later this month, after recovering from his knee injury.
Habib Diarra made just his fifth start for Sunderland last time out, and covered every blade of grass in his all-action role. Swift rotations are expected between himself, Hume and Enzo Le Fee, who should start in the number 10 role once again.
Martin Odegaard is a doubt for the Gunners heading into the weekend, while Bukayo Saka is expected to remain out until later this month.
Coupled with the absence of Mikel Merino, Sunderland may fancy their chances of causing an upset with three key players out for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal predicted XI – 4-2-3-1: Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori – Zubimendi, Rice – Madueke, Havertz, Trossard
Sunderland predicted XI – 4-2-3-1: Roefs – Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo – Diarra, Sadiki – Hume, Le Fee, Talbi – Brobbey
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland
While Sunderland are typically fantastic at home, the chance is there for Le Bris’ side to pick up something on the road against the league leaders.
After a barren run over the festive period and January, the Black Cats got back to winning ways emphatically against Burnley.
With fresh energy provided by the returning Diarra and new signing Nilson Angulo, the squad is somewhat revitalised.
Heading into the weekend, the chance is there for Sunderland to go on and take something to aid their European charge.