Match Preview: Arsenal Vs Sunderland please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Match Appointments Referee: Robert Madley Assistants: M Perry & P Kirkup Fourth Official: J Simpson Team News Arsenal Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Mikel Arteta all miss this weekend's clash. Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny could play a part while Kieran Gibbs returns. Sunderland Jermain Defoe and Seb Larsson have been ruled out . Big Sam could be tempted to give Duncan Watmore his 2nd start and recall Jordi Gomez to the starting XI. This match could come too soon for Jack Rodwell who is due to rejoin training. Billy Jones is available and should re join the match day squad after serving a one match ban. Last 10 League Meetings 20th May 2015 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland 25th August 2014 Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal 22nd Feb 2014 Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland 14th Sep 2013 Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal 9th Feb 2013 Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal 18th Aug 2012 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland 11th Feb 2012 Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal 16th Oct 2011 Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland 5th Mar 2011 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland 18th Sep 2010 Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal Form Arsenal please log in to view this image Sun 29th Nov Norwich 1-1 Arsenal Sat 21st Nov West Brom 2-1 Arsenal Sun 8th Nov Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham Sat 31st Oct Swansea 0-3 Arsenal Sat 24th Oct Arsenal 2-1 Everton Sat 17th Oct Watford 0-3 Arsenal Sunderland please log in to view this image Sat 28 Nov Sunderland 2-0 Stoke Mon 23 Nov Crystal Palace 0-1 Sunderland Sat 7th Nov Sunderland 0-1 Southampton Sun 1st Nov Everton 6-2 Sunderland Sun 25th Oct Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle Sat 17th Oct West Brom 1-0 Sunderland Last Corresponding Fixture please log in to view this image OPTA Stats & Facts Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 top-flight clashes with Sunderland (W7 D4) and have suffered defeat in just one of the last 23 versus them. On home soil, the Gunners are yet to lose to the Black Cats in the Barclays Premier League (W9 D5), although four of the last seven top-flight meetings at the Emirates have ended 0-0. Indeed, that total of four home goalless draws is the most by Arsenal against any opponent in the Gunners’ Barclays Premier League history. French striker Olivier Giroud has had a hand in five goals in his five Barclays Premier League appearances against Sunderland (three goals, two assists). Mesut Ozil and Santiago Cazorla have exchanged passes 339 times this season in the top-flight, 40 more than any other combination between two players. Ozil has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 12 Barclays Premier League appearances (two goals, 11 assists). The Gunners have now gone three games without a Barclays Premier League win (D2 L1) - they last went four games without tasting victory last April. Sunderland ‘keeper Costel Pantillimon has made a league-high 59 saves this season in Barclays Premier League.
The fact that Sanchez is out is huge. He's a huge huge threat. I'd set up the same as last match but Rodwell for Larsson and Borini for Defoe due to injury. I'd take a point 100%
Rodwell and Gomez only actual centre mid's out of those. Didn't realise he hadn't trained all week, my bad Gomez it is then.
That would seem likely but I wonder about Lens. A better player but needs to improve his work rate. Depends on the Sam effect I suppose.
I think he's already showed a willingness to work harder albeit as a sub. He seems to be a bit of a confidence player so I'm hoping these couple of wins will bring that undoubted quality he has out.
I'm a lot more confident about this one than I would have been a couple of weeks ago, I'm not daft enough to expect a win but you never know. Hopefully we can frustrate them and get something from it.
If JoS plays well we could win, if Giroud gets the better of him, as I fear, we will loose. I would settle for a 0-0 any day of the week.
Excellent thread again Bri. Slightly better than my guest appearance one on the mags board. (At least they took it in good spirit) This is a tough game. DA wont go gun ho in this one. Defend and try to hit them on the break.
Totally agree, got to put on a performance, too much emphasis being put on their long list of injuries, we need to play our game at 110% to get a result tomorrow, always hopeful though.
