|
|
Played
February 9, 2013 3:00 PM GMT
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Referee: A. Taylor
Attendance: 46402
February 9, 2013 3:00 PM GMT
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Referee: A. Taylor
Attendance: 46402
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sunderland | 3.75 | 4.60 | 3.60 | 3.75 | 4.60 | 4.00 | 4.25 | 4.20 | 4.05 | 4.49 |
| Draw | 3.50 | 3.60 | 3.30 | 3.60 | 3.75 | 3.40 | 3.60 | 3.50 | 3.30 | 3.51 |
| Arsenal | 1.80 | 1.83 | 1.85 | 1.91 | 1.90 | 1.91 | 1.85 | 1.90 | 1.81 | 1.79 |
Sunderland - Arsenal Preview: Inconsistent Black Cats host injury-stricken Gunners
Both sides enter the contest in mixed form, with the away side looking for three points in an attempt to gain ground on rivals Spurs, who are four points ahead in fourth
By Sam Wells
Getty Images
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
|
SUNDERLAND
 Mignolet Gardner, Bramble, O'Shea, Rose Larsson, N'Diaye, Vaughan, Johnson Sessegnon Fletcher |
ARSENAL
 Sczcesny Sagna, Mertesacker, Miquel, Monreal Arteta, Wilshere Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski Giroud |
Martin O’Neill will be without Carlos Cuellar (hamstring) from the heart of his defence, so Titus Bramble will continue alongside John O'Shea.
The Irishman will captain the team in Lee Cattermole's (knee) absence, although the Stockton-born midfielder could make a return to the bench in this game.
Wes Brown (knee) is a long-term absentee for the Black Cats and Danny Graham is likely to once again feature from the bench following his deadline day move from Swansea.
Arsene Wenger is facing something of a crisis in central defence with Laurent Koscielny (calf) doubtful and Thomas Vermaelen (ankle) ruled out. If the Frenchman fails to recover it could mean a rare appearance for Ignasi Miquel or Sebastien Squillaci.
The Gunners are also without Kieran Gibbs (thigh) and Francis Coquelin (hamstring), while Aaron Ramsey is doubtful after missing Wales' midweek friendly with Austria due to a calf strain.
Theo Walcott was substituted in England's win over Brazil after a heavy collision with Julio Cesar, but is expected to be fine for the clash at the Stadium of Light.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Sunderland have won five of their last nine Premier League games (losing the other four) after winning just four of their previous 29 (drawing 13 and losing 12).
- Steven Fletcher has scored the first goal of the game six times this season - more often than any other Premier League player. He is 6/1 to open the scoring with bet365.
- Stephane Sessegnon, meanwhile, has been fouled more often than any other player this season - a total of 61 times thus far.
- Arsenal have made 13 errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this season; more than any other team in the league.
- The Gunners have also tended to start their games badly; if only the second half of Premier League fixtures counted this season, Arsenal would be second, only two points behind Manchester City.
- Lukas Podolski (pictured right) has played a part in 10 goals over his last eight Premier League appearances for Arsenal (four goals and six assists).
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal
- 20.31 %
-
Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal
- 17.21 %
-
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
- 12.79 %
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Feb 9, 2013 | Sunderland 0 - Arsenal 1 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Aug 18, 2012 | Arsenal 0 - Sunderland 0 |
|
| England - FA Cup (FA) | Feb 18, 2012 | Sunderland 2 - Arsenal 0 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Feb 11, 2012 | Sunderland 1 - Arsenal 2 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Oct 16, 2011 | Arsenal 2 - Sunderland 1 |
|
Sunderland
     |
||
| May 12, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Southampton 1 | EPL |
| May 6, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Stoke 1 | EPL |
| Apr 29, 2013 | Aston Villa 6 - Sunderland 1 | EPL |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Everton 0 | EPL |
| Apr 14, 2013 | Newcastle 0 - Sunderland 3 | EPL |
Arsenal
|
||
| May 14, 2013 | Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1 | EPL |
| May 4, 2013 | QPR 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Arsenal 1 - Man Utd. 1 | EPL |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Fulham 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| Apr 16, 2013 | Arsenal 0 - Everton 0 | EPL |
| Returns: | Sunderland £46.00 |
|
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! | |
| Returns: | Draw £36.00 |
|
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! | |
| Returns: | Arsenal £19.10 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
| 22 | Simon Mignolet | Goalkeeper |
| 16 | John O'Shea | Defender |
| 19 | Titus Bramble | Defender |
| 25 | Danny Rose | Midfielder |
| 29 | Alfred N'diaye | Midfielder |
| 6 | Lee Cattermole | Midfielder |
| 8 | Craig Gardner | Midfielder |
| 14 | Jack Colback | Midfielder |
| 11 | Adam Johnson | Midfielder |
| 28 | Stéphane Sessegnon | Midfielder |
| 26 | Steven Fletcher | Striker |
| 20 | Keiren Westwood | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Phil Bardsley | Defender |
| 5 | K. Mangane | Defender |
| 24 | Carlos Javier Cuéllar | Defender |
| 7 | Sebastian Larsson | Midfielder |
| 15 | David Vaughan | Midfielder |
| 10 | Danny Graham | Striker |
| 13 | Wojciech Szczesny | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Bacary Sagna | Defender |
| 4 | Per Mertesacker | Defender |
| 17 | Monreal | Defender |
| 25 | Carl Jenkinson | Defender |
| 8 | Mikel Arteta | Midfielder |
| 10 | Jack Wilshere | Midfielder |
| 16 | Aaron Ramsey | Midfielder |
| 19 | Santi Cazorla | Midfielder |
| 12 | Olivier Giroud | Striker |
| 14 | Theo Walcott | Striker |
| 24 | Vito Mannone | Goalkeeper |
| 48 | Ignasi Miquel | Defender |
| 2 | A. Diaby | Midfielder |
| 7 | Tomas Rosicky | Midfielder |
| 9 | Lukas Podolski | Striker |
| 15 | Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | Striker |
| Steven Fletcher | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 26 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
Fletcher has been Sunderland's shining light this season as, in spite of the team's middling form, he has notched 10 goals in 23 games for the Black Cats. However, with Danny Graham's arrival, and bearing in mind Martin O'Neill's preferred formation this season (with Sessegnon behind a striker), even their top scorer must be wary of the new competition in the squad. Whether this, coupled with his two-game goalless streak, will spur him onto a good performance will be a key feature of this match.
| Per Mertesacker | |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad Number: | 4 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
The Germany international has come under some criticism in recent weeks as Arsenal's defence has looked frail, particularly in the shaky defensive displays against Brighton and Liverpool as Mertesacker himself looked particularly susceptible, his lack of pace more evident than ever. However, the arrival of Monreal coupled with a much-needed clean sheet against Stoke must have done wonders for their confidence and the 28-year-old will hope to take that impetus into the next game, in spite of the very real possibility of an unfamiliar centre-back partner.
With both sides coming into this game in mixed form, this one could potentially go either way. Arsenal, however, will be the favourites' in most people's minds and it's difficult to argue with the increasingly potent attacking threats of Theo Walcott and Oliver Giroud, though they may struggle defensively in the possible absence of Koscielny and Vermaelen. Nevertheless, they should have enough to prevail against a team that have struggled to hit a rich vein of form this season.
Results
Times In GMT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man Utd. |
25 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
20 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
