Arsenal vs Sunderland live: Madueke starts as Saka absent with Gunners looking to extend Premier League lead
The Gunners come into the weekend sitting six pints clear as they look to win the title
Arsenal welcome Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium this afternoon looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points.
The Gunners have had a fantastic week following their 4-0 mauling of Leeds last Saturday. Their closest title rivals, Manchester City and Aston Villa, both dropped points thanks to a 2-2 draw with Spurs and a 1-0 loss to Brentford respectively before Mikel Arteta’s men swept Chelsea aside to reach the Carabao Cup final during the week.
That place Arsenal on course for an unprecedented quadruple and they can move one step closer to securing the Premier League trophy should they defeat Sunderland today.
The Black Cats started the season superbly following their promotion from the Championship and currently sit eighth in the table just five points off the top four. Qualifying for a place in Europe would be a fitting reward for such a fine season but Regis Le Bris’ men need to maintain their momentum after beating Burnley 3-0 last time out.
Follow all the action from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
The importance of Roefs
Sunderland’s Robin Roefs has made the third-most saves (76), has the second-highest save percentage (74.3%) and the joint-5th most clean sheets (8) of any goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.
The last time a goalkeeper kept more clean sheets for a promoted side was in 2020-21 (Illan Meslier 11, Alphonse Areola 9).
PSR is finally dead – How the Premier League’s new financial rules benefit the elite
If the January window was unusually quiet – given the money in the Premier League – part of the reason is explained by the noise in some of the boardrooms. One big club actively wanted to spend and felt they could comfortably do so within next season’s new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, but didn’t want to risk it as it could bust them through this season’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The concerns show the “layer of acronyms” – to quote one source – the Premier League is now working through, before next season’s switch to the new rules. Whether it adds more layers or even increases financial stratification is still the subject of considerable debate.
PSR is finally dead – How the Premier League’s new financial rules benefit the elite
Poor on the road
Sunderland are winless in their last seven Premier League away games three draws, four defeats) since a 2-1 victory at Chelsea in October.
No promoted side has ever won away at both Arsenal and Chelsea in a Premier League campaign before.
A bad place to go
Sunderland have never won in 16 Premier League away games against Arsenal (five draws, 11 defeats).
Only visiting Liverpool have they gone more often without a victory in the competition (17).
Signs look good for Gunners
Arsenal lost 3-2 against Man Utd in their last home league game, last losing consecutively at the Emirates in April 2022.
However, the Gunners are unbeaten in their last 43 at home against promoted sides - the joint-longest run in Premier League history (Chelsea also 43 between 2001 and 2015).
Sunderland are due a win
Sunderland have won just one of their last 28 Premier League games against Arsenal (10 draws, 17 defeats).
That victory was a 1-0 home win in November 2009.
Arsenal vs Sunderland
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 18 home league games against Sunderland (13 wins, five draws) since a 2-1 loss at Highbury in November 1983.
Inside the latest twists in a Premier League title race defined by volatility
As opposition coaches analyse Manchester City, they believe they have seen something shift. It may even fit with the volatility of the Premier League right now.
Put simply – and unlike for much of the last decade – if you can stay in a game with City, you now have a chance. The team of two years ago would, after all, probably have blown that Tottenham Hotspur side away in the first half.
Inside the latest twists in a Premier League title race defined by volatility
Sunderland team to face Arsenal
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Hume, Le Fee, Sadiki, Talbi; Diarra, Brobbey
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks