Sunderland vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Sunderland have performed fantastically on their return to the Premier League but the visit of the league leaders will be a true test of their credentials.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo & Peacock Premium
Sunderland preview: Not letting up
Sunderland fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Everton at the Stadium of Light on Monday, which made it seven points collected from the last nine available in the Premier League.
The Black Cats continue to be one of the surprise packages this season and they have still lost just two games in the 2025-26 Premier League - only opponents Arsenal have lost fewer at this stage of the campaign.
Arsenal preview: Clean sheet kings
League-leaders Arsenal are showing no signs of faltering themselves as they recorded yet another win and clean sheet in the Premier League last weekend courtesy of a 2-0 triumph over promoted side Burnley.
The Gunners then recorded a 0-3 victory at Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, which made it eight successive clean sheets in all competitions.
Sunderland team news: Alderete still absent
Omar Alderete is still experiencing symptoms from concussion so he will take no part in this fixture, meaning it could be an unchanged back five.
Leo Hjelde, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin and Romaine Mundle are all close to returns from injury but won't make this one, while Habib Diarra is out for a little longer.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Isidor
Unavailable: Alderete (Concussion), Hjelde (Injured), Alese (Injured), Cirkin (Injured), Diarra (Injured), Mundle (Injured)
Questionable:
Arsenal team news: Arteta vague as ever
It is almost certain the Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli. Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres will miss this fixture, but Mikel Arteta stopped short of completely ruling them out.
Mikel Merino looks best-placed to occupy the central forward role after scoring twice midweek, while Martin Zubimendi is available having trained following a knock last weekend. Gabriel Jesus has returned to training but won't be considered just yet.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Unavailable: Jesus (Injured)
Questionable: Kepa (Personal reasons), Odegaard (Injured), Madueke (Injured), Martinelli (Injured), Havertz (Injured), Gyokeres (Injured)
Sunderland vs Arsenal prediction
Nobody seems able to stop Arsenal right now, but if anyone can, perhaps it is surprise package Sunderland, captained by former Gunners star Granit Xhaka.
With Arsenal missing frontman Gyokeres, who looked to be getting up to speed of late, they may be lacking a little potency in the attacking areas, and while they are undoubted favourites in this fixture, Sunderland have proven that they can stifle top opposition this season.
Rather than opting for the match result market, under 2.5 goals could be the play here.
Sunderland vs Arsenal tip: Under 2.5 goals
