Stats at a glance: Arsenal (H): 12/09/2026
Average home goals predicted: 1.4
Average away goals predicted: 1.5
Confidence of Roker Report’s writers: 4.1/10
Predicting a win for the Lads: 37.5%
Martin Wanless (Cautious Optimist) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Arsenal 1
I think we can get a result here.
Maybe I’m being overly optimistic, but an evening game with a big atmosphere and a team gaining in confidence — and a game plan worked out by professor Le Bris… there’s a chance.
Of course, a few things would have to go in our favour, and Arsenal’s midweek game would have to take their
toll, but we gave them a shock last season and we could go one better this time round.
Key differentiator: I think we’ll have too much on the wings for their defence to handle.
Confidence: 3/10 (Hope = 10/10)
Bold call: Mikel Arteta to travel a total distance of 3.2km outside of his technical area throughout the course of the game [Malc’s note: a stat which Martin is going to evidence to all the lads have any chance of a point…]
Malc Dugdale (Scarred happy clapper) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 0
I was at the game over twenty years ago when Stan Varga had a worldy of a debut, and we won 1-0 against an Arsenal team with many a star — including one of my ‘GOAT’ candidates, Thierry Henry, going the other way.
A great goal by Quinny nicked it and we battled through every moment. I haven’t seen a Sunderland team since that time with comparable guts and collective spirit, but our lads now have every ounce of that.
Maybe it’s my distorted rose-coloured specs but given how we played last season and the upgrades we have in the team this season, if we’re going to get anything from Arsenal, it’ll be at home and tonight.
And I’m going to the game, so…
Key differentiator: Someone needs to take Martin Odegaard out of the game, and I think Noah Sadiki can do that.
Confidence: 4/10. This could be a gritty win or a total hammering, as Arsenal are red hot right now.
Bold call: We convert a set piece and hold on for dear life, facing more than ten shots (on or off target), but keeping them all out.
Jack Howe-Gingell (Eternal optimist) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Arsenal 2
I’m invoking another ‘Desmond’ after last season’s result.
Arsenal are possibly the toughest team in the league but we’ve already shown that we can make Mikel Arteta irritated and uncomfortable, which we give in equal measure to his players.
We’re aggressive without the ball, organised in possession, and willing to press highly, which can disrupt Arsenal.
Ultimately, Arsenal will create chances but our energy, home support and tactical bravery can earn a result. The game will go through the motions, but we won’t back down and will get something.
Key differentiator: Our ability to mirror a lot of Arsenal’s strengths. As well as their control and press, we don’t mind leaning into the dark arts. They simply possess more elite-level talent, but stylistically we are the kind of opponent Arsenal hate.
Confidence: 5/10
Bold call: Arsenal to lead by two goals, but we come back to draw in the final fifteen minutes (plus stoppage time)
“Champion” Will Jones (Heart over head) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 2
This is the biggest test for us, with Arsenal being probably the toughest side we’ll face. But we’ve already shown we can make life difficult for them at home, so I’m not expecting us to just sit back and take it.
At home, under the lights, I think we have as good of a chance as any.
If we can stay in the game and make the most of the atmosphere, I fancy us to get something, but I think overall, Arsenal’s quality will just edge it.
Key differentiator: Arsenal’s ability to punish even the smallest mistake.
Confidence: 4/10.
Bold call: All goalscorers will have surnames with a Scrabble score of ten or more, no multipliers.
Matty Foster (Pragmatist) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 3
Our toughest opponent so far, with Arsenal starting their title defence in perfect fashion.
I know we earned a brilliant draw in last season’s fixture, but I can’t help but think they’ll win comfortably tonight.
Key differentiator: Arsenal’s attacking quality will be far too much for a dogged defence.
Confidence: 2/10
Bold call: We will take a first half lead, before Arsenal romp home in the second half.
Anthony Gair (Depreciating optimist) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Arsenal 1
Why not? We’re good enough. Arsenal are mint, but on our day we can mix it with the best of them!
I can’t explain it, but I just fancy us.
I know I’m just going with my heart, and this is why I finished last, but it’s the hope that kills us, innit?
Key differentiator: Our ability to keep Arsenal down to minimal shots on target, as we did last time, caused by the five at the back fluidity that we shown against Brentford.
Confidence: 4/10
Bold call: We go 2-0 up in the first half and we defend like Trojans to get over the line in the second.
Gary Winter (Glass almost empty) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 2
It’s early in the season but tonight, we face our toughest game so far by a long shot.
Arsenal are playing with the mentality of champions and continue to be incredibly tight when it comes to conceding goals.
That was true of last season too, yet we scored twice and took a point in the same fixture. It’s very possible we could repeat this, but there’s little room for error.
It’ll need every man on the pitch in red and white at it 100% from the start, the fans creating unprecedented levels of noise…and a bit of luck of course.
Key differentiator: An electric home crowd atmosphere under the lights and in front of the cameras could give the Sunderland players the extra lift to possibly come away with a positive result. Anything short of that may not be enough.
Confidence: 3/10
Bold call: Sunderland to take the lead in the match, and then go on to lose the game in the last 15 minutes (+ added on time).
Brett Lyons-Davis (Gut feeling guy) says…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 1
An 8pm kick off versus the champions of England…it’s going to be a cracker.
Based on the first half at Brentford, we’re a match for anyone in this league and I think we’ll give the Gunners another good game.
Key differentiator: They were the best team in the league last season — we were the seventh.
Confidence: 8/10
Bold call: All goal scorers squad numbers will be prime numbers.
Last game thoughts…
After many changes, the Lads did pretty well in the cup against Hull, with our second string getting us into the last sixteen for what feels like the first time in decades. Some really good showings from many a so-called squad player too, so good vibes for the recruitment team are high.
After such a deft finish, it’l be interesting to see if Chemsdine Talbi gets a start or even a run off the bench tonight. After recent exit speculation, he did exactly what he needed to: giving Régis Le Bris something to really think about.
If anyone can single-handedly deliver some magic like that to engineer a win against Arsenal; for the rest of the season, they’re surely a shoo-in.
Last game predictions…
Most of the boys went for a win in the League Cup, and most were duly rewarded.
Gary was spot on including a bold call, and gathered a full four points. A few others got ones and twos.
Predictions table and standings
Matty makes the top his own with seven, with Malc, Martin and Gary not far back.
The remainder have formed a peloton on two points and are conserving energy to strike when they can as we progress either side of the international break.
How the points are awarded
Just a quick reminder of how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:
- Correct score = Three points
- Correct outcome (but not correct score) = One point
- Correct Bold Call = One point
- Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting on time = a two-point deduction.
