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Premier League Preview: Arsenal - Sunderland
Error-prone Gunners hoping Black Cats bring them good luck
19 Feb 2010 10:00:00
By Graham Lister
Saturday, 20 February 2010, Kick-off: 15:00
Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, London N5
Arsenal will be hoping that Sunderland prove the ideal antidote to their somewhat embarrassing Portuguese excursion. For whereas Porto went into Wednesday's Champions League tie unbeaten in 12 games, the Black Cats arrive at the Emirates without a win in 12 Premier League outings.
The elementary defensive clangers that left Arsenal trailing 2-1 to the Dragons ahead of the second leg - and which will haunt goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for years to come - have largely eclipsed the positives in the Gunners' performance; the unpalatable truth is that for all their possession, their vulnerability at the back has been ruthlessly exposed too often over the last chastening four weeks.
Consequently, although they are still alive in both the Premier League title race and the European Cup, familiar doubts have resurfaced. True, they have been particularly hard-hit by injuries, but whichever way you look at it, Arsene Wenger's side have just a solitary win from their last six games in all competitions.
That is at least one more than Sunderland can boast. Indeed, apart from a routine FA Cup win over non-league Barrow, the Wearsiders haven't tasted victory since 21 November. On that occasion, the visitors to the Stadium of Light were none other than Arsenal. That may give Steve Bruce and his players cause for optimism as they take on the Gunners again, looking to halt a slump that has seen a once-promising season morph into a battle to avoid the relegation places. Currently Sunderland, although seemingly secure in mid-table, are only three points above the drop zone. Their decline has been alarming, though they too can point to serious disruption by injuries as a significant influence on their campaign.
Arsenal, of course, will be seeking not only a morale-boosting victory after their recent travails, but also to make amends for that poor result - and performance - on Wearside three months ago.
Sunderland's 1-0 win, courtesy of a 71st minute Darren Bent goal, ended a 14-match unbeaten run for Arsenal, and meant the Black Cats became the first team this season not to concede against the Gunners. It was also their first league success against the north London club since the opening day of the 2000-01 season. Indeed, Sunderland haven't triumphed on Arsenal turf in a league game since November 1983, when a certain Tony Adams was making his debut.
Wenger really needs that record to be extended as Arsenal, trailing leaders Chelsea by six points, are virtually obliged to win all their remaining games if they are to clinch the title - and hope that Chelsea and Manchester United both drop points.
The Gunners can still point to an impressive home record - they've won 10 and drawn one of their 13 games at the Emirates - but will be anxious to rediscover their shooting boots. Since beating Bolton Wanderers 4-2 at home to go top of the table on 20 January, Arsenal haven't managed more than one goal in any one game, and have scored just four times in their last six. They'd racked up 17 in their previous six, and still only Manchester United, with 62 goals, have scored more than Arsenal's 61 to date in the Premier League.
As for Sunderland, they have managed 32 so far, with only 13 coming away from home. The Black Cats are, in fact, poor travellers this season, and conceded seven to a rampant Chelsea on their last trip to London. Indeed, the Wearsiders have just one away win to their name - and that was achieved at Bolton on the opening day of the season, back in mid-August.
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
17 Feb (Champions League) v Porto (A) LOST 1-2
10 Feb (Premier League) v Liverpool (H) WON 1-0
07 Feb (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 0-2
31 Jan (Premier League) v Man Utd (H) LOST 1-3
27 Jan (Premier League) v Aston Villa (A) DREW 0-0
24 Jan (FA Cup) v Stoke City (A) LOST 1-3
Sunderland
09 Feb (Premier League) v Portsmouth (A) DREW 1-1
06 Feb (Premier League) v Wigan Ath (H) DREW 1-1
01 Feb (Premier League) v Stoke City (H) DREW 0-0
27 Jan (Premier League) v Everton (A) LOST 0-2
23 Jan (FA Cup) v Portsmouth (A) LOST 1-2
16 Jan (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 2-7
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
Midfielder Abou Diaby - who scored the winner against Liverpool in Arsenal's last League game - is unavailable after sustaining suspected knee ligament damage in the 2-1 Champions League defeat by Porto on Wednesday.
First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is rated no more than 50-50 by Wenger to be fit in time, which means Fabianski may get an early chance to redeem himself. Neither one is likely to inspire excessive confidence among the defenders in front of him.
Wenger had better news about defensive midfielder Alex Song, who has recovered well from a knee problem; but Andrey Arshavin, Eduardo (both hamstring) and William Gallas (calf), all of whom also missed the Porto game, have been ruled out of Saturday's match.
They join Robin van Persie, Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou and Fran Merida on the sidelines.
Last starting XI (v Porto): Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Denilson, Fabregas, Rosicky (Walcott 68), Bendtner (Vela 83), Nasri (Eboue 88). Subs not used: Mannone, Silvestre, Traore, Ramsey.
Sunderland
Midfielder Andy Reid has been ruled out for a month after suffering another hamstring injury during the Wearsiders' last outing, the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth. He is expeted to miss five games, starting with the Arsenal clash, having only just returned from a three-game absence with a similar problem.
Meanwhile 19-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson will be out of action for six weeks with an ankle injury sustained during the game against Wigan Athletic on 6 February. There are also doubts about Steed Malbranque's chances of shaking off a chest injury in time to play.
Manager Steve Bruce will also be without midfielders Lee Cattermole and David Meyler, who are both suspended following their dismissals against Pompey, while Anton Ferdinand is still recovering from an ankle injury. Kieran Richardson (calf), John Mensah and Fraizer Campbell (both hamstring) have also been sidelined recently and are doubtful starters.
Last starting XI (v Portsmouth): Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Kilgallon, McCartney, Malbranque (Zenden 45), Cana, Cattermole, Reid (Meyler 85), Bent (Bardsley 89), Jones. Subs not used: Carson, Da Silva, Liddle, Benjani.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
In recent games, as the Gunners' silverware hopes have receded, captain Cesc Fabregas has cut a frustrated figure. But if the body language of the world class playmaker so coveted by Barcelona has been revealing, it was his spoken words that betrayed a growing impatience with Arsenal after the Porto defeat. Gunners fans will surely hope that it was spur-of-the-moment disappointment manifesting itself rather than a hint that their captain is reaching the end of his love affair with the club.
Either way, there will be considerable interest in his performance, and demeanour, on Saturday. Will the player with most assists in Premier League games this season - as well as a personal best haul of 14 goals in all competitions - be able to rekindle his enthusiasm against struggling Sunderland? His team could certainly do with a sparkling show from the Catalan, who is likely to be closely marked again, while being expected to unlock the match for the Gunners.
Sunderland
In the summer of 2007, there was much merriment among fans of Arsenal's arch-rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, when the Lilywhites splashed more money on Darren Bent than the Gunners received from Barcelona for striker-supreme Thierry Henry. Spurs fans felt it was indicative of a shift in the balance of north London football power. They were deluded: Arsenal retained the upper hand while the expensive Bent toiled under the burden of expectation at White Hart Lane.
The former Charlton Athletic star never really clicked in a Spurs shirt, and his move last summer to the North-East was seen as a new beginning. He has certainly not disappointed on Wearside, weighing in with 16 goals already (including the winner against Arsenal) and reminding us why he'd earned England recognition a couple of years ago. He's even given up his Twitter site in order to focus on football, and his partnership with Kenwyne Jones is one Arsenal's jittery defence will need to shackle.
PREDICTION
Arsenal got their title hopes back on track in their last home game, narrowly beating Liverpool 1-0 to put pressure on the top two and distance between themselves in third and the chasing pack of Champions League hopefuls. Now they need to consolidate their challenge by putting another winning run together. With home advantage, out-of-form opponents and plenty to prove, this is a must-win game for Wenger's side.
Sunderland's fine start to Steve Bruce's first season in charge seems a long time ago, although the manager believes his team can beat Arsenal this weekend and turn their campaign around. They are long overdue an upturn in performance and results - but it would be surprising if the improvement began at the Emirates.
Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland
Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, London N5
Arsenal will be hoping that Sunderland prove the ideal antidote to their somewhat embarrassing Portuguese excursion. For whereas Porto went into Wednesday's Champions League tie unbeaten in 12 games, the Black Cats arrive at the Emirates without a win in 12 Premier League outings.
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The elementary defensive clangers that left Arsenal trailing 2-1 to the Dragons ahead of the second leg - and which will haunt goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for years to come - have largely eclipsed the positives in the Gunners' performance; the unpalatable truth is that for all their possession, their vulnerability at the back has been ruthlessly exposed too often over the last chastening four weeks.
Consequently, although they are still alive in both the Premier League title race and the European Cup, familiar doubts have resurfaced. True, they have been particularly hard-hit by injuries, but whichever way you look at it, Arsene Wenger's side have just a solitary win from their last six games in all competitions.
That is at least one more than Sunderland can boast. Indeed, apart from a routine FA Cup win over non-league Barrow, the Wearsiders haven't tasted victory since 21 November. On that occasion, the visitors to the Stadium of Light were none other than Arsenal. That may give Steve Bruce and his players cause for optimism as they take on the Gunners again, looking to halt a slump that has seen a once-promising season morph into a battle to avoid the relegation places. Currently Sunderland, although seemingly secure in mid-table, are only three points above the drop zone. Their decline has been alarming, though they too can point to serious disruption by injuries as a significant influence on their campaign.
Arsenal, of course, will be seeking not only a morale-boosting victory after their recent travails, but also to make amends for that poor result - and performance - on Wearside three months ago.
Sunderland's 1-0 win, courtesy of a 71st minute Darren Bent goal, ended a 14-match unbeaten run for Arsenal, and meant the Black Cats became the first team this season not to concede against the Gunners. It was also their first league success against the north London club since the opening day of the 2000-01 season. Indeed, Sunderland haven't triumphed on Arsenal turf in a league game since November 1983, when a certain Tony Adams was making his debut.
Wenger really needs that record to be extended as Arsenal, trailing leaders Chelsea by six points, are virtually obliged to win all their remaining games if they are to clinch the title - and hope that Chelsea and Manchester United both drop points.
The Gunners can still point to an impressive home record - they've won 10 and drawn one of their 13 games at the Emirates - but will be anxious to rediscover their shooting boots. Since beating Bolton Wanderers 4-2 at home to go top of the table on 20 January, Arsenal haven't managed more than one goal in any one game, and have scored just four times in their last six. They'd racked up 17 in their previous six, and still only Manchester United, with 62 goals, have scored more than Arsenal's 61 to date in the Premier League.
As for Sunderland, they have managed 32 so far, with only 13 coming away from home. The Black Cats are, in fact, poor travellers this season, and conceded seven to a rampant Chelsea on their last trip to London. Indeed, the Wearsiders have just one away win to their name - and that was achieved at Bolton on the opening day of the season, back in mid-August.
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
17 Feb (Champions League) v Porto (A) LOST 1-2
10 Feb (Premier League) v Liverpool (H) WON 1-0
07 Feb (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 0-2
31 Jan (Premier League) v Man Utd (H) LOST 1-3
27 Jan (Premier League) v Aston Villa (A) DREW 0-0
24 Jan (FA Cup) v Stoke City (A) LOST 1-3
Sunderland
09 Feb (Premier League) v Portsmouth (A) DREW 1-1
06 Feb (Premier League) v Wigan Ath (H) DREW 1-1
01 Feb (Premier League) v Stoke City (H) DREW 0-0
27 Jan (Premier League) v Everton (A) LOST 0-2
23 Jan (FA Cup) v Portsmouth (A) LOST 1-2
16 Jan (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 2-7
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
Midfielder Abou Diaby - who scored the winner against Liverpool in Arsenal's last League game - is unavailable after sustaining suspected knee ligament damage in the 2-1 Champions League defeat by Porto on Wednesday.
First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is rated no more than 50-50 by Wenger to be fit in time, which means Fabianski may get an early chance to redeem himself. Neither one is likely to inspire excessive confidence among the defenders in front of him.
Wenger had better news about defensive midfielder Alex Song, who has recovered well from a knee problem; but Andrey Arshavin, Eduardo (both hamstring) and William Gallas (calf), all of whom also missed the Porto game, have been ruled out of Saturday's match.
They join Robin van Persie, Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou and Fran Merida on the sidelines.
Last starting XI (v Porto): Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Denilson, Fabregas, Rosicky (Walcott 68), Bendtner (Vela 83), Nasri (Eboue 88). Subs not used: Mannone, Silvestre, Traore, Ramsey.
Sunderland
Midfielder Andy Reid has been ruled out for a month after suffering another hamstring injury during the Wearsiders' last outing, the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth. He is expeted to miss five games, starting with the Arsenal clash, having only just returned from a three-game absence with a similar problem.
Meanwhile 19-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson will be out of action for six weeks with an ankle injury sustained during the game against Wigan Athletic on 6 February. There are also doubts about Steed Malbranque's chances of shaking off a chest injury in time to play.
Manager Steve Bruce will also be without midfielders Lee Cattermole and David Meyler, who are both suspended following their dismissals against Pompey, while Anton Ferdinand is still recovering from an ankle injury. Kieran Richardson (calf), John Mensah and Fraizer Campbell (both hamstring) have also been sidelined recently and are doubtful starters.
Last starting XI (v Portsmouth): Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Kilgallon, McCartney, Malbranque (Zenden 45), Cana, Cattermole, Reid (Meyler 85), Bent (Bardsley 89), Jones. Subs not used: Carson, Da Silva, Liddle, Benjani.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
In recent games, as the Gunners' silverware hopes have receded, captain Cesc Fabregas has cut a frustrated figure. But if the body language of the world class playmaker so coveted by Barcelona has been revealing, it was his spoken words that betrayed a growing impatience with Arsenal after the Porto defeat. Gunners fans will surely hope that it was spur-of-the-moment disappointment manifesting itself rather than a hint that their captain is reaching the end of his love affair with the club.
Either way, there will be considerable interest in his performance, and demeanour, on Saturday. Will the player with most assists in Premier League games this season - as well as a personal best haul of 14 goals in all competitions - be able to rekindle his enthusiasm against struggling Sunderland? His team could certainly do with a sparkling show from the Catalan, who is likely to be closely marked again, while being expected to unlock the match for the Gunners.
Sunderland
In the summer of 2007, there was much merriment among fans of Arsenal's arch-rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, when the Lilywhites splashed more money on Darren Bent than the Gunners received from Barcelona for striker-supreme Thierry Henry. Spurs fans felt it was indicative of a shift in the balance of north London football power. They were deluded: Arsenal retained the upper hand while the expensive Bent toiled under the burden of expectation at White Hart Lane.
The former Charlton Athletic star never really clicked in a Spurs shirt, and his move last summer to the North-East was seen as a new beginning. He has certainly not disappointed on Wearside, weighing in with 16 goals already (including the winner against Arsenal) and reminding us why he'd earned England recognition a couple of years ago. He's even given up his Twitter site in order to focus on football, and his partnership with Kenwyne Jones is one Arsenal's jittery defence will need to shackle.
PREDICTION
Arsenal got their title hopes back on track in their last home game, narrowly beating Liverpool 1-0 to put pressure on the top two and distance between themselves in third and the chasing pack of Champions League hopefuls. Now they need to consolidate their challenge by putting another winning run together. With home advantage, out-of-form opponents and plenty to prove, this is a must-win game for Wenger's side.
Sunderland's fine start to Steve Bruce's first season in charge seems a long time ago, although the manager believes his team can beat Arsenal this weekend and turn their campaign around. They are long overdue an upturn in performance and results - but it would be surprising if the improvement began at the Emirates.
Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland
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