Sunderland are currently one of the poorest teams in the league in terms of form and in David Moyes, they have a manager with a track record of struggles in his Manchester United days. With just two points from their opening nine games, Sunderland have one of the worst records in the league and would be hoping to stop the rot from this weekend when the Gunners arrive at the Stadium of Light.

Their record against the Gunners isn’t favorable as well, with Arsene Wenger’s side unbeaten against the Black Cats in their last nine meetings. In fact, Sunderland has won just one of their last 25 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, drawing nine and losing 15. When both sides met last season in this venue, it turned out to be a stalemate with the home side putting up a dogged display which was combined with some efficient goalkeeping from ex-Gunner, Vito Mannone. Sadly, he wouldn’t be available for this tie, following the nasty elbow injury he picked up early in the season.

Arsenal Team News

With Arsene Wenger resting a host of players for the Reading game, we would expect a fresh squad for today’s game but in his press conference yesterday, he confirmed the availability of Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey for the game, while raising concerns about the fitness of Nacho Monreal, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla.

Thankfully, the squad has enough depth to deal with the situation. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player that could be considered following his upturn in form but it’s down to the manager to decide his best XI for the game with half an eye on the game against Ludogorets.

Arsenal Injury / Suspension News

Per Mertesacker, Danny Welbeck (knee), Santi Cazorla (Achilles tendon), Chuba Akpom (back), Granit Xhaka (suspension), Lucas Perez (ankle), Theo Walcott (hamstring – doubt), Nacho Monreal (muscle – doubt)

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Sunderland Team News

The Black Cats have many injury problems to contend with and would be gnashing their teeth following yet another narrow defeat, this time to Southampton, in the EFL Cup. Before that encounter, the Black Cats were odds on to seal a draw with West Ham before Winston Reid scored a late goal that ended the game in anguish for Moyes.

The Scot manager has some injury problems to contend with but he would be hoping to line up a squad that would do the business against Arsenal today.

Sunderland Injury / Suspension News

Jason Denayer (groin), Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (back), Adnan Januzaj (ankle), Fabio Borini (groin), Vito Mannone (elbow), Seb Larsson (knee)
Sunderland Predicted Lineup

Team Form

Arsenal

• Last Five Games: W W W D W
• Last Result: Arsenal 2-0 Reading
• Leading Goalscorer: Theo Walcott (8)

Sunderland

• Last Five Games: L D L L L
• Last Result: Southampton 1-0 Sunderland
• Leading Goalscorer: Jermaine Defoe (4)

Gooner Daily predicts a 2 – 0 win.

Sayonara.

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