Preview
Matchweek 11 will see league leaders Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light to face newly promoted side, Sunderland. The Black Cats have been flying through their fixtures making them one of the most successful newly promoted teams after 10 matches in the history of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s team will try their best to collect all 3 points at the Stadium of Light and achieve something no club has been able to do so far in the Premier League this season. As Sunderland’s undefeated home streak continues, they’re set to face an Arsenal side that’s the current favourite to lift the Premier League title.
While Regis Le Bris’ team currently reside in the top 4 of the Premier League table, it’s mathematically possible that they finish the matchweek in second place as they head into the international break.
Head to Head
Their last meeting came in the 21/22 Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals where the Gunners crushed their visitors in a 5-1 victory as Eddie Nketiah scored a hattrick.
During the 16/17 season, which was the Black Cats’ last season in the Premier League, the Gunners dominated both fixtures winning both home and away, 2-0 and 4-1, respectively.
Team News
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will lay out his team without quite a few of his players as Arsenal’s injury list keeps on increasing week by week. Former Chelsea and Real Madrid goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga will not travel up north because of ‘personal reasons’.
Club captain Martin Odegaard, former Chelsea duo Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are all sidelined due to knee injuries, with all of them set to return towards the end of this month.
Gabriel Martinelli picked up a knock after the match against Crystal Palace and remains a doubt for this match. New signing Viktor Gyokeres has sustained a ‘strain injury’ as sources revealed, therefore won’t be cleared to play in this fixture.
The only long term absentee for the Gunners has been Brazilian international and former Manchester City striker, Gabriel Jesus, as he sustained a Cruciate Ligament injury earlier this year in January. The striker’s recovery makes him on track to be back in full training by early 2026.
Probable Lineups: Raya (GK), Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka (C), Merino, Trossard, Eze
Sunderland
Regis Le Bris has reported no new fresh injury concerns for his players after the draw against Everton earlier this week. However the Black Cats will be without a number of key players when they host the current league leaders.
Omar Alderete remains a doubt after he suffered a concussion, while Ajebola Alese Dennis Cirkin won’t be back before the international break commences as the pair is suffering from a shoulder and wrist injury, respectively.
Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle remain sidelined till late November as they are suffering from an Achilles tendon and a hamstring injury, respectively.
Senegalese international Habib Diarra will join his teammates in training around mid December as the 21 year-old is recovering from a groin injury.
Probable Lineups: Roefs (GK), Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Hume, Reinildo, Traore, Xhaka (C), Sadiki, Le Fee, Isidor.
Where the Match will be decided
Arsenal currently have the best defence in Europe having only conceded 3 goals in the Premier League and 0 in the Champions League, so far. They also have the second best attack in the league with 18 goals making them the joint second top scoring club along with Chelsea.
It will be hard for the hosts to block their impeccable attack and even more difficult to pierce through the visitor’s top tier defence. Former Gunners skipper, Granit Xhaka will be the centre of this fixture as the Swiss international and current Sunderland captain will try his best to help his current team pick up maximum points at home.
Betting odds
8.60 (Sunderland) 4.70 (Draw) 1.41 (Arsenal)
Prediction
The hosts will try their level best to conjure a counter attack, as Arsenal will expectedly dominate possession, to try and force a breakthrough and potentially turn a tide in their favour.
We say, Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal.
