Saturday 12th September 2026
Sunderland v Arsenal – Premier League
Stadium of Light – Kick-Off: 20:00
Tickets & Match Coverage
TV/Stream: Full live match coverage is available via TNT Sports.
Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online)
Don’t forget to follow the blow-by-blow account of the game on the Roker Report Twitter feed (@RokerReport) and check out the player ratings after the full-time whistle at www.RokerReport.sbnation.com!
The build-up…
It’s going to be some nine days ahead, and it begins tonight against the Premier League Champions.
It’s followed by what is likely to be an emotional night in
midweek as we make our Europa League bow at the Stadium of Light in midweek, and then the small matter of a trip to Pep-less Citeh – but tonight’s game has a certain feeling about it.
It’s the current champions heading to Wearside, to take us on in a Saturday evening kick-off under the lights and in front of the cameras, while looking to continue their 100% winning record. Just like we did last season against Arteta’s side, tonight has the makings of a game we could remember for a very long time.
Midweek saw the Lads take on Premier League high-flyers Hull City in the League Cup, and other than going through to the last sixteen after just one victory, we also had a first proper look at a few new signings and liked what we saw.
Combine that with an impressive performance last week at Brentford – especially in the first half – it will be interesting to see if Le Bris is tempted to make one or two changes. Top of the list, despite Ahoka’s impressive showing in the middle of the park, might be down the left side of the pitch, where it must be tempting to throw Methalie and/or Fofana a place in the starting XI.
Having said that, it’s likely Le Bris has had a plan to face Arsenal for a while, and even when we see the line-up tonight we might still be trying to work it out. But check out Martin’s stab at our starting line-up on the site this morning, because he’s a braver man than me.
Our record against Arsenal isn’t great over the last decade or so, which probably comes as no surprise, and we have to go back to 2012 since our last win against the Gunners on home soil, which means we haven’t beaten them in our last six attempts at the Stadium of Light.
This came in an FA Cup fifth round tie when Martin O’Neill got the better of Arsene Wenger, as the Lads ran out 2-0 winners, but in the league we need to go back to 2009 when Darren Bent scored the winner.
Last season at the Emirates in February, we gave them a run for their money and the 3-0 defeat didn’t really tell the full story, but in the reverse fixture last November we gave them a proper fright. At the time, they looked invincible. They looked like they wouldn’t concede a goal to anyone at the time, and no side could handle their set-pieces, but at half-time we looked good for our lead via Dan Ballard.
In terms of the season as a whole, Arsenal finally got over the line and won the title they were desperately looking for, but despite those wild celebrations, there could be regret of missing out after losing in the finals of the Champions League and League Cup. Against PSG, they were a few penalty kicks away from making it a monumental season – but it will no doubt provide the drive for the season ahead.
They have beaten Coventry, Aston Villa and Chelsea so far to make it three-from-three in the Premier League, and anyone who watched their win in Naples in midweek will know how impressive they looked – but none of that should bother us tonight, because it feels like a one-off cup-tie type of game and anything can happen.
The betting…
The bookies have the Lads at a long 6/1 to win the game, while Arsenal are 4/9 to take all three points, and the draw is 3/1.
Head-to-head… at Sunderland
(All competitions)
- Sunderland wins: 33
- Draws: 24
- Arsenal wins: 20
- Sunderland goals: 133
- Arsenal goals: 97
Last time we met… at the Stadium of Light
Saturday 8th November 2025
Premier League
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
[Ballard 36’, Brobbey 90’ – Saka 54’, Trossard 74’]
Sunderland: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo, Geertruida (Mayenda), Xhaka, Sadiki, Traore (Talbi), Le Fee (Adingra), Isidor (Brobbey) Substitutes not used: Patterson, Masuaku, O’Nien, Neil, Rigg
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Calafiori, Rice, Saliba, Gabrial, Saka, Zubimendi, Merino, Eze (Mosquera), Trossard Substitutes not used: Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, White, Hincapie, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Dowman, Harriman-Annous
Attendance: 46,799
Prediction…
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
It has to be said, Arsenal looked impressive in midweek in Naples. They controlled the game from start to finish and should have won by more.
I’m expecting a cup-tie atmosphere under the lights and in front of the cameras, and that will be the leveler, but I don’t think we’ve hit our stride enough yet to take a point tonight. Let’s hope I’m completely wrong.
