Sunderland and Arsenal had had their fair share of history with both sides playing nervy encounters whenever they meet in the Stadium of Light. As both sides are set to lock horns yet again with Sunderland scrapping in the relegation zone already while the Gunners are trying to solidify a top four place, there will be a million and one reasons to look froward to the game.
Here’s Gooner Daily’s top 5.
The Return of Premier League Football
Two weeks have passed since Arsenal’s glorious victory against their high-spending fierce rivals, Tottenham, and since then Arsenal fans had to make do with watching their heroes ply their trades for their respective nations as the 2014 World Cup qualifiers reached its climax. However, these set of fixtures came with a price as the Gunners lost Tomas Rosicky to injury while there were some concerns over the fitness of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott.
After two weeks of classic torture as the fans waited patiently, Premier League football has returned and we will be glued to our screens yet again as the world’s most entertaining league takes center stage again.
Paolo di Canio’s Antics
Since his arrival in the tail end of last season, Paolo di Canio set the Premier League ablaze with his off the pitch shenanigans and one can look no further than his antics in the derby game against Newcastle last season. Since then, di Canio has been on the spotlight as he sanctioned Phil Bardsely, began his preseason campaign earlier than normal and worked on his player’s fitness issues.
I’m pretty sure that di Canio would have something up his sleeves.
Mesut Ozil’s Debut
After joining the club for a record fee of £42.5m, Arsenal fans will get the chance to see their new No. 11 when he takes to the pitch against Sunderland from the start or from the dugout is another case left to be answered by the manager, but the mere sight of Ozil donning the Red and White will be a source of great joy for the fans.
We can only hope that things will get better from here as the acquisition of Ozil would be that lift that the club, players and fans alike needed to spearhead the Gunners for great things to come.
Another Resolute Defensive Display?
The last time both sides clashed in the Premier League in the Stadium of Light, Carl Jenkinson earned himself an early bath and Sunderland tried to make their numerical advantage count but Arsenal was taking no prisoners and the Gunners put up a valiant defensive display with Sagna becoming a colossus at the back.
Aaron Ramsey also became an emergency right back and his performance on the day earned him a lot of plaudits as well. We are certainly not hoping for another red card but a goal coupled with another resolute defensive display will grant Arsenal…
Three Precious Points
This will be the key reason to look forward to this game.
Arsenal needs to challenge for the Premier League title this season and it’s games like these that the Gunners have to show that they mean business.
Sayonara
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