Sunderland vs. Arsenal preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

The Gunners are six points clear of the next best team on the log, while the newly promoted Black Cats have impressed this season and are fourth in the standings. 

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Sunderland recovered from a poor opening spell that saw them go behind against Everton, with former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka scoring to make it 1-1.

The Black Cats have had an impressive start to life back in the Premier League, winning half of their 10 matches so far (3D, 2L), placing them in the top four. 

Only Hull City in 2008-09 (20) have picked up more points than Sunderland (18) at this stage of the season as a newly promoted side in Premier League history. The bedrock of that has been their solid home form, as they remain one of the teams unbeaten at home in the league (W3, D2).

However, the Black Cats will face their biggest test yet when they welcome high-flying league-leading Arsenal. 

The Gunners are not just winning games; they barely give up chances to the opposition, keeping a record eight successive clean sheets across all competitions with a 3-0 away win against Slavia Prague in the UCL.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last four league games without conceding, and another spotless victory here will see them win five top-flight fixtures in a row without conceding for the first time since 1987.

Arsenal have dominated this fixture for a while, unbeaten across the last 15 Premier League meetings against Sunderland (W10, D5) since November 2009. 

The Gunners have also enjoyed their trips to the Stadium of Light, winning five of the last six league meetings there (D1).

Sunderland might be without Omar Alderete, while the likes of Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles) and Habib Diarra (groin) are all confirmed to miss this clash.

Meanwhile, the Gunners will remain without captain Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who are all recovering from injury.

Gabriel Martinelli is doubtful but in contention after missing the last two matches, while Martin Zubimendi is expected to have recovered from a knock he picked up in the 2-0 win over Burnley last weekend.

However, another summer signing, Viktor Gyokeres, left the game at Turf Moor with a muscle issue, and is unlikely to return until after the international break.

Sunderland: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Isidor, Le Fee

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard

This clash is expected to be a cagey one with limited scoring chances, given Sunderland’s home resilience and Arsenal’s characteristic solidity at the back.

However, the Gunners have an extra set-piece threat that might help them decide such a tight game.

Correct score prediction: Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

Betting tips:

• Arsenal to win

• Over 8.5 corners

• Under 3.5 goals