match preview

Sunderland v Arsenal

theguardian 

Gus Poyet says he did not order an extra Sunday training session following last Saturdays 8-0 surrender at Southampton as he could not bear to look at his Sunderland players. Atonement is demanded but Poyets team could probably have done without a visit from Arsenal at this delicate juncture. At least a mixture of injuries and Jack Wilsheres suspension means Arsène Wenger is without nine first-teamers including Mesut Özil, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott. That just leaves Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and one time Sunderland loanee Danny Welbeck to cope with. Louise Taylor

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Stadium of Light

Last season Sunderland 1 Arsenal 3


Referee K Friend

This season G5, Y20, R0, 4.00 cards per game

Odds H 9-2 A 3-4 D 11-4

Sunderland

Subs from Pantilimon, Réveillère, Bridcutt, Gómez, Cabral, Altidore, Buckley, Mavrias, Graham

Doubtful None

Injured Álvarez (knee, 8 Nov), Coates (knee, 8 Nov), Giaccherini (ankle, 22 Nov), Jones (hamstring, 22 Nov)

Suspended None

Form LDDDWL

Discipline Y14 R0

Leading scorer Fletcher 2

Arsenal

Subs from Martínez, Ox-Chamberlain, Podolski, Rosicky, Coquelin, Campbell, Bellerín, Zelalem, Hayden, Gnabry

Doubtful Arteta (calf)

Injured Debuchy (ankle, Dec), Giroud (ankle, Dec), Ospina (thigh, Jan), Diaby (calf, unknown), Koscielny (shin, unknown), Özil (knee, unknown), Sanogo (hamstring, unknown)



Suspended Wilshere (one match)

Form DDWDLD

Discipline Y21 R0

Leading scorer Sánchez 3