Gunners Out to Cement Lead at the Premier League Summit

Arsenal vs Sunderland

As thrilled as I was (as a Man Utd fan) at the result, I was rather surprised by some of the ‘doommongery’ and negativity that was written about Premier League leaders Arsenal following their clash at the Emirates Stadium 11 days ago.

After all, it was the Gunners’ first home defeat of the campaign, they still held a four point lead at the summit and had come through a period in which they were without the spine of their central defence.

Fast forward a week and Arsenal have concluded the Champions League group stages with a 100 per cent record, have reached the League Cup Final (their first final since 2020) and extended their lead at the top to six points.

They also have players returning from injury in both defence and attack.

Next on their assignment list, a home league encounter with Sunderland – the Wearsiders who have proved arguably the team of the season since being promoted via the Championship play-offs last term.

Talking Points

Sunderland aim to pull off an upset against league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend — Ruben Amorim and Regis Le Bris shake hands during a Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland

Of course, the last week and a half hasn’t all been plain sailing with the loss of Mikel Merino, to an injury sustained in training, a real blow for a player who has been quietly impressive since joining the club 18 months ago.

Yet such is the depth in Mikel Arteta’s squad, few are expecting anything other than another home win.

In midweek, when they saw off capital rivals Chelsea to reach the League Cup showpiece, Arteta could afford to rest goalkeeper David Raya and captain Martin Odegaard amongst others, showcasing the depth of the talent at his disposal.

The recently returned Kai Havertz scored the last-gasp goal which sealed their place in the final, just three days after a resounding 4-0 league win at Leeds in which Gabriel Jesus, another player returning after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, was on target.

They will all be available this weekend, although Bukayo Saka is a doubt with a hip problem.

Sunderland enjoyed their latest set of Premier League 2026 highlights on Monday night when they claimed a comfortable victory against strugglers Burnley, a result which lifted the Black Cats up to eighth in the table, just five points off the top four.

Manager Regis le Bris is a contender for manager of the year based on the season so far, although granted, he doesn’t have the sheer numbers of players to select from as his counterpart.

He will also miss his captain, one-time Arsenal man Granit Xhaka, this weekend as he remains out for a few more weeks with an ankle injury.

History

January 21, 1893 and the first round of the FA Cup at Newcastle Road, Sunderland, was the venue for the first ever meeting between Sunderland and the then Royal Arsenal.

It was all rather one-sided too as the home side ran riot in a 6-0 win.

It was a further 11 years before they next met, a goalless draw in the north east in League Division One, by which time the north Londoners were known as Woolwich Arsenal.

In 1936 they also contested the Charity Shield, a game Sunderland (the league champions) won 2-1 against Arsenal (FA Cup holders) at Roker Park.

Their league meeting three months ago was a four goal thriller as Dan Ballard gave the home side the lead before second half goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard turned the match in Arsenal’s favour.

It seemed set to stay like that until Brian Brobbey delivered a dramatic 94^th minute equaliser.

Their most recent meeting in the top flight was in May 2017 at the Emirates Stadium when two late goals from Alexis Sanchez sealed a 2-0 home success against already relegated opponents.

Overall, Sunderland have triumphed 50 times, Arsenal have tasted victory on 63 occasions and there have been 42 draws.