Sunderland vs Arsenal

Premier League, England

Match date: Saturday, Nov 21, 2009

Stadium: Stadium of Light

One of the most interesting matches of the round will see Sunderland host high-flying Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats couldn’t get anything from White Hart Lane even though they played a very good game, while Gunners had an easy job against Wolves at Molineux. Sunderland are proving week in week out that they are a top half material and we have to say they were very unlucky not to get anything from White Hart Lane. The Black Cats played a good game against very good Tottenham side but missed a couple of great chances, including a penalty and had to settle for the 2:0 defeat. The team, nevertheless, proved they can match even the best teams in the league and Arsenal are in for a difficult task at the Stadium of Light. Steve Bruce’s team have been very convincing in home games, scoring 8 goals in last 3 of those and we see a good value in backing . Steve Bruce is missing Michael Turner and Kenwyne Jones through suspension but captain Lorik Cana returns after missing the Tottenham game for the same reason. Cana could be shifted to defence to partner Paulo Da Silva or he may start as a holding midfielder. Bent and Campbell are set to continue their partnership up front, while Marton Fulop is set for a long run in the first team with keeper Craig Gordon out with injury. Arsenal just keep winning and they do look relentless at times. The 4:1 win over Wolves was achieved with as little effort as possible and the game looked as if the Gunners were playing a non-league team. This is how impressive Arsene Wenger’s boys look at the moment, although the match against very good Sunderland side will be a real test. The Gunners boast by far the best scoring record in the league and with Sunderland missing their top defender and key holding midfielder, we see a good value in backing . The latest injury crisis is threatening to end Arsenal’s good string of results and Wenger has a whole team on the sidelines at the moment. Van Persie is the latest player to have picked up an injury and he joined Bendtner, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby and Djourou on the sidelines, while Wilshire, Fabianski, Walcott, Traore and Vela all suffered setbacks and are struggling to return to full fitness. Kieran Gibbs has picked up an injury on international duty and he remains an injury doubt for Sunderland clash. We expect a really close-fought encounter between two in-form teams at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have proven they have what it takes to match even the best teams in the league and it is high time someone ended Arsenal’s impressive run. We don’t think Arsenal will win this game. Highlights, live score and results will be available soon..