Arsenal host Sunderland at the Emirates in the Premier League, looking to get a bit of payback for the Black Cats’ late, drawing-snatching goal at the Stadium of Light in November. The Gunners are looking to maintain (or extend) their 6-point lead atop the table. Sunderland are on 36 points and in the thick of the mid-table morass. There are six clubs all within three points of each other from 7th through 12th. That’s the story of the Premier League this season — a bit lighter on elite teams than
usual but almost everybody is respectable and can get ‘ya on their day.
Sunderland have made a fortress of their home ground and haven’t lost there all season. A 94th minute, improbable Brian Brobbey spinning, volley finish saved a draw for the Black Cats against the Gunners when the two clubs met earlier this season. On the road, Sunderland are a different story. They’ve won none of their last seven PL away matches (D3, L4). Overall, their recent form is middling (2W, 2D, 1L).
There are a bunch of stats and figures on the Arsenal side of the ledger that all boil down to Arsenal are very good and do particularly well against promoted sides at home. Sunderland are not your typical promoted team, however. Regis Le Bris is an excellent manager that has made the Black Cats tough to play against. They’ve conceded the joint-third fewest goals in the Premier League this season (28). That said, they’ve been fairly fortunate, too. Their more than 11.5 fewer goals conceded than expected is the highest tally in the PL. They’ve allowed the third-most shots in the PL, too.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have conceded from 6 of the last 8 shots on target against them in the Premier League. That isn’t going to continue. The smart money is on this to be a low-event, tight game, but I don’t know. I’ve got an inkling that Arsenal might run rampant.
Just when Arsenal seemed to be getting healthy, guys started picking up injuries again. Bukayo Saka will “hopefully be with [the team] very soon,” said Mikel Arteta. Martin Ødegaard could be available today but it’ll more likely be for Brentford midweek. Jurrien Timber, who missed a couple training sessions this week, is fine. Max Dowman has yet to train with the team and is still a few weeks away. Mikel Merino is out until at least May.
Sunderland will be without former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka, who has missed the last two matches with an ankle injury that will keep him out today. Attackers Bertrand Traore, Harrison Jones, and Jocelin Ta Bi miss out. Deadline day signing Nilson Angulo should be available for selection.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHO: Arsenal vs Sunderland
WHERE: The Emirates
WHEN: Saturday, February 7th, 7:00 am PT | 10:00 am ET | 3:00 pm GMT
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on Peacock
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