please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light this Saturday afternoon to take on Sunderland in the Premier League. The Gunners go into this game having beat Stoke at the Emirates stadium in their last league game, and it was a win that was badly needed. Arsenal had to be patient against a stubborn Stoke team but Lukas Podolski was the man that got the winner for Arsenal after his free kick was deflected past and into Asmir Begovic’s goal. With Chelsea and Everton dropping points, Arsenal’s win meant that they had closed the gap on two of their rivals as the race for those Champions League hot’s up. Sunderland faced Reading at the Madejski stadium last week and a late Jimmy Kebe goal gave Reading all three points as Sunderland succumbed to their tenth defeat of the season in the league. Arsenal and Sunderland played out a dour goalless draw when the two teams met at the Emirates stadium earlier in the season. Olivier Giroud missed the one glorious chance in the game, and Sunderland left the Emirates with a hard earned point. Their game plan for that game was clear, and it’s was Martin O’Neill’s usual game plan against Arsenal. His aim of frustrating the Gunners by setting his team to defend deep and in numbers worked but with the game on Saturday being played at the Stadium of Light, his team might not be as negative and as toothless in attack. So, the Gunners could get more space. Arsenal’s recent record at the Stadium of Light has not been the best with the Gunners only managing to win one of their last six games at there. That one win came last season in the league, and the game was won after Arsenal legend Thierry Henry struck late after getting on the end of an Andrey Arshavin cross. It was great moment for Arsenal fans, and one that they are not going to forget in a hurry. With the race for those Champions League places showing no sign of slowing, it’s vital that Arsenal win again and keep the pressure on those teams above them. Sunderland are currently in twelfth place in the league and have an eight point cushion over Wigan, who sit in the last relegation spot. So, although safety is not yet guaranteed, they are in a comfortable position and look set to avoid a potential relegation dog fight. Their aim for the remainder of the season must be to finish in the top half of the league and end the season on a positive note. With them getting dumped out of the FA Cup by Bolton, Sunderland only have the League to focus on. Finishing above bitter rivals, Newcastle United should also motivate them but they currently only have a two point gap over their rivals, as Newcastle begin to pick up their form, Sunderland know that they can’t afford to keep dropping points if they want the bragging rights over the Toon army. Before their defeat to Reading, Sunderland had actually won back to back league games when they defeated Wigan and West Ham in January. So it looked like Martin O’Neill’s side had finally built a run of form, but the Reading defeat and their terrible showing in the FA Cup has set them back. Steven Fletcher has without a shadow of doubt been Sunderland’s star man this season and his goals have kept them going despite going through some tough spells. He has scored ten league goals this season and has led from the front. When Sunderland signed him, there were huge questions over the hefty £14 Million transfer fee that Sunderland signed him for. But with his goals, he has silenced the doubters. Adam Johnson, the other big money signing from the summer, has not really had the same impact as Fletcher has had. Johnson has been very inconsistent this season and despite regular game time, he has not been able to produce his best week in week out. But on his day, he is a dangerous player and can produced moments of brilliance. Arsenal new boy, Nacho Monreal could be in for a testing afternoon if Johnson can find his best form. From their twelve league games at home, Sunderland have won four, drawn four and lost four. So the Stadium of Light has hardly been a fortress this season. But as they showed in their performance against Manchester City at the SOL, they can be a very difficult team to break down. Against Arsenal, O’Neill always let’s Arsenal have space in the wide areas, but he packs the middle, so the likes of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are going to have very little space or time to operate in come Saturday afternoon. Arsenal have struggled against teams that defend in numbers this season and against Sunderland, they are to have to break down a stubborn defence. Sunderland have only conceded twelve goals at home all season, only Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have let in fewer at home. So it’s vital that the Arsenal forwards turn up and perform at their clinical best. The likes of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott might not have three or four chances in this game, so this is where they have to prove their quality. Mikel Arteta made his return from injury against Stoke City last week, and it might be have been more than just a coincidence that Arsenal looked a more solid in terms of their defending. In Arteta’s absence, Arsenal had conceded seven goals in their last five Premier League games, and against the likes of Liverpool their defensive shape was all over the place. Arteta offers more protection to the Arsenal defence compared to the likes of Abou Diaby and Aaron Ramsey. Also his experience is going to be needed in this crucial run in. Thomas Vermaelen was ruled out of the Stoke game with an ankle injury and he faces a race against time to be fit for Arsenal's visit to the Stadium of Light. New signing, Nacho Monreal had a very solid debut at left back, but he was not really tested against a toothless Stoke attack. Arsenal’s record away from home this season has been poor and their last win on the road in the league came against Wigan in late December. So the Gunners have yet to win an away game in the league this year. In fact, they have only won four away games all season, while the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea have won seven away games compared to Arsenal. An improvement in their away form is going to vital if they are going to claim a place in the Champions League, and they can start that improvement by beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in this upcoming Premier League clash. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image Steven Fletcher please log in to view this image Lee Cattermole please log in to view this image Danny Rose Overall Record vs: Sunderland Played: 141 Wins: 54 Draws: 39 Losses: 48 For: 223 Against: 196 GD: 27 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal (FA Cup) Sunderland 1 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Manager's Views: Arsene Wenger on Jack Wilshere: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
hope monreal gets a bit more involved this game. was very quiet on his debut, understandably, but with a few training sessions under his belt hope he can flourish down that left side.
I thought he had a very decent debut, especially considering he'd only arrived at the club less than forty eight hours earlier and his boots didn't arrive until two hours before kick off He was calm, assured and read the game well, showed some glimpses of skill and still got forward without getting exposed. I agree that there's probably more to come from him, which can only be a good thing, but overall I was very impressed with his debut.
Sunderland managed to out-Stoke Stoke in our first game with them this season. Hope we get to see some football.
MON is a boring manager and he'll park the bus at the SOL. We'll need to be patient, but away from home I don't think it will affect us as much as it can do at home.
I like the look of our defence with nacho in,though tv and Sagna need to rediscover top form (or put jerks in...). Graham and fletcher could cause us problems, but hopefully well put out a strong team and have enough to beat sunderland
O'Neill always does the same thing against us, we have to expect numbers behind the ball and little space in the midfield. That tactic worked for them against Man City, but Spurs killed them with their width. So Podolski and Theo are going to be key players for us on Saturday. We have to stretch Sunderland and hopefully Nacho and also Sagna can also be at their attacking best as well.
Got to be honest and say you will win this. BUT, you seem to be one of those (so called) top six we tend to do well against. we all want 4-4-2 but will no doubt go 4-5-1 so park the bus it will more than likely be. Bit chilly up here so lets hope it gets down to -5 with a whipping wind blowing snow showers off the North sea come 3pm Saturday. I know you southern softies don't like the cold. LOL...4 goals (head 1-3' heart 2-2)
What's weird about Koscielny is that there is no quote from any official that I can find just some generic blog posts that him, Vermaelen and Ramsey are doubtful. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. At the "Internationals" report on arsenal.com all it says about him is: "Laurent Koscielny was withdrawn at half time"
According to Twitter Vermaelen is definately out and Koscienly is due to have a fitness test today. Not good news at all - why do our players always get injured on international duty - while Ferguson basically retires most of his players from international football. I noticed for the England game (couldn't get the Wales game grr) that two England players went down with possible injuries and they were both Arsenal players, Walcott and Wilshere (though Wilshere got up almost straight away). On a positive note Ramsey is meant to be fit though.
Let's hope that Kos makes it, then. Cause without him the options are dire. Tell me again, why exactly did we not bid for Yanga MBiwa?
Hope you go 4-5-1. Because I could see Graham and Fletcher causing our defence all sorts if they start together upfront.
Because we have Squilachi? And that's not a joke, just giving you Wenger's logic. Squilachi is CB choice 4.
djourous out on loan, and probly leaving in the summer, so hes not in. wenger gave a pressie saying it was miquel, or sagna who could play there with jenks on the right
Sagna at CB. Dont recall ever seeing him play there before. And add to that his dip in form recently and Im not too confident about that. I think I'd prefer him onm the right and Miquel come in as a natural CB if Kos cant play, btw has anyone heard yet? I wouldnt mind Jenkinson at RB if needed though.
