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Sunderland welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League
Last time out Sunderland drew with Everton and Arsenal beat Slavia Prague.
Granit Xhaka scored his first Sunderland goal as the Black Cats came from behind to draw with Everton and move up to fourth place in the Premier League.
Everton started brightly and led through Iliman Ndiaye's fine solo goal - picking the ball up on the right before beating the defence and leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. The Toffees could have increased their lead, with Jack Grealish hitting the post, until Thierno Barry missed a sitter from three yards out in the 28th minute - then suddenly everything changed. Sunderland took control of the game.
Xhaka scored their equaliser almost immediately at the start of the second half with a deflected strike from 20 yards out after Enzo le Fee's effort was blocked.
The Black Cats had the game's next 16 shots after that Barry miss, but could not find a winner. Sunderland are back in the Champions League places, more than a quarter of the way through the season
Alderete is following strict concussion protocols and is not available.
Arsenal won 3-0 away in Prague with goals from Saka and a brace from Merino. It was Arsenal’s eighth consecutive clean sheet, equalling a club record going back to 1903 !
The Gunners have kept 13 clean sheets so far this season in all competitions.
Max Dowman became the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years and 308 days old.
Mikel Arteta’s side have a growing injury list with striker Viktor Gyokeres the latest addition after suffering a muscle injury last week, but Merino, Saka, Trossard and Eze are available.
Regis le Bris:
"It's a good point. We didn't start well. They were better than us for 25/30 minutes. We felt they were a good side and had many threats, the ability to exploit our turnovers, and we were not as consistent enough during this first part of the game to be competitive.
We switched on the last part of the first half, though, and the second half was much better where we deserved to even score a second goal."
Press conference:
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Mikel Arteta:
"It's a joy to have him, (Merino)
"It's his mindset, it's his leadership, it's the way he is as a person.
"We are missing a lot of attacking players and we have to find different solutions. He comes in the Champions League and scores two goals."
Form:
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Match Appointments:
Referee: CRAIG PAWSON
Assistant Referee: James Mainwaring
Assistant Referee: Matthew Wilkes
Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse
Video Assistant Referee: James Bell
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Adam Nunn
Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: Roefe, Reinildo, Ballard, Mukiele, Hume Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Isidor, Talbi
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Subs: Patterson, Masuaku, O’Nien, Neil, Rigg, Adingra, Geetruida, Mayenda, Brobbey.
Injured: Alese, Cirkin, Hjelde, Mundle, Diarra, Alderete.
Arsenal FC: Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori, Rice, Zubimendi, Merino, Saka, Eze, Trossard
Substitutes: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Dowman
Injured: Gyokeres, Jesus, Martinelli, Havertz, Madueke, Odegaard.
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Betting Odds:
Sunderland 7/1 Arsenal 7/5 Draw 5/1
My two pence:
Arsenal are 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League having conceded just 3 goals this season, and have had 13 clean sheets, but as we know there are no easy games and this will be one of the hardest that they face this season.
Xhaka in beast mode again.
Can’t wait for this one, early start on Saturday to avoid the traffic and hope to see a few in the Fans Museum before the game.
I’m going for a 1-0 win to piss on Arsenal’s chips.
A large scale remembrance display is planned for this game, and fans are requested to arrive early.
Live Stream:
Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event.
Ha’way the Lads
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