North East | Can Sunderland end Arsenal's unbeaten run

Sunderland v Arsenal preview

After a great start to the season, Sunderland face their biggest test of their campaign so far.

Author | Lewis Whatley 

Stadium | Stadium of Light

Sunderland v Everton

Team news

Sunderland will be without five injured players for the clash, with Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles) and Habib Diarra (groin) all sidelined. Le Bris reported no new concerns following Monday night’s session. Facing the club where he made 225 Premier League appearances, Xhaka aims to score in consecutive league games for the first time since his final season with Arsenal, when he scored against Crystal Palace and Leeds United in 2023.

Key stats ahead of the match

Sunderland have collected 18 points, the most by a newly promoted side after 10 Premier League games since Hull City managed 20 in 2008-09. The Black Cats remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, winning three and drawing two of their five home games, a run not surpassed since Steve Bruce’s side went nine matches without defeat at home between August and December 2010.

Sunderland fans have created a fantastic atmosphere this season

However, Sunderland have struggled against the top four, failing to win any of their last 23 Premier League encounters with sides starting the day in the upper tier of the table, drawing seven and losing 16, since a 2-1 victory over second-placed Chelsea in April 2014. Their last top-flight win against a league leader came in January 2012, a 1-0 home triumph against Manchester City.

Encounters with Arsenal have also proved difficult. Sunderland have not beaten the Gunners in their last 15 Premier League meetings, drawing five and losing ten since a 1-0 home victory in November 2009. All three of Arsenal’s league defeats against Sunderland have come away from home, each by a 1-0 margin, and they have never conceded more than once in 16 visits to the Stadium of Light.

A meeting between the sides at Roker Park in 1997

 

A quick look at the opposition

The Gunners have won eight games in a row in all competitions without conceding a goal, most recently beating Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Champions League. Mikel Arteta’s side have only lost one away game in all competitions this season, a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in August.