Following a Europa League routine, Arsenal go to the Stadium of Light on Sunday following the win on Thursday over West Bromwich Albion to face a relegation-battling Sunderland side.
A comfortable win over the Baggies did much to alleviate a lot of fears from Arsenal fans. The team weren’t subscribing to a particular brand of football (as teams should do under managers), instead looking ponderous and relying on individual brilliance the last few games. However, against West Brom, the passing looked crisp and the interchanging movement was very encouraging to see. More than two should have been scored, but the move back into 3rd place is all that really matters.
Sunderland, while languishing in the relegation zone, look committed and motivated under the watch of Big Sam, knowing that a couple of more wins will assure safety from relegation. A 3-0 result at Norwich last week showed them looking both physical and clinical, meaning this may be a game Arsenal need to grind out.
Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud came into the side and the former two impressed, Per with his calm leadership and Ramsey with his drive, providing two assists. Giroud, on the other hand, struggled to get involved in a game that should have provided ample opportunities. It’s likely that Danny Welbeck will be drafted in for Sunday, as will Francis Coquelin, on account of this being an away game. Wenger then has a decision to make between Mertesacker and Gabriel – based on the pace of Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini, the Brazilian will start.
Sunderland’s most dangerous player will be Jermain Defoe. Scoring 13 goals in a relegation team is no mean feat – if he gets a chance, he will score 90% of the time.
There’s really no need to elaborate on Arsenal’s biggest threat.
Match facts
– Arsenal have already played Sunderland twice this season, winning both games 3-1.
– Alexis Sanchez is now Arsenal’s joint top scorer with Olivier Giroud, scoring 12 goals.
– Sunderland have scored 24 goals at home, compared to Arsenal’s 23 at the Emirates Stadium.
Team news
– Jack Wilshere is finally ready to be back in the Arsenal squad, albeit on the bench. Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still sidelined.
– Duncan Watmore, after making an appearance from the bench and scoring last game, may be ready to start after a couple of months on the sideline.
Predicted XI
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Elneny; Alexis, Ozil, Iwobi; Welbeck.
Sunderland (4-1-2-3): Mannone; Yedlin, O’Shea, Kone, Van Aanholt; Kirchoff; M’vila, Cattermole; Borini, Defoe, Watmore.
