With a quarter of the Premier League season over, not many early-season predictions would have pegged Arsenal vs Sunderland as a top four clash.
Regis Le Bris' side have the best points haul (18) of a newly promoted team since Hull City (20) in the 2008-09 season. Hull went onto earn only 15 points from their next 28 games in the Premier League that season, and barely escaped relegation with a 17th-placed finish -- a downturn Sunderland would like to avoid.
Mikel Arteta's side, meanwhile, have no such downturn on the horizon, with an eighth consecutive clean-sheet win, defeating Slavia Prague 3-0 in midweek UEFA Champions League action (which saw 15-year-old Max Dowman make history as the youngest-ever player in UCL history). Arsenal have let in three goals from 16 games in all competitions this season, and have only allowed one shot on target in their last four games -- rewriting all sorts of defensive records in the process.
It's not all roses as the international break approaches, as Arsenal's frontline has been hit with a spate of injuries, including that of Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swede facing a spell on the sidelines. Mikel Merino has resumed his role as makeshift striker, with Arsenal's deep squad set to be tested.
With former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka now dictating Sunderland's midfield, and a full week of rest, the hosts would fancy their chances of getting a result against league leaders Arsenal -- despite the club's last win over the Londoners coming in 2009.
Arteta's lack of rotation in midweek might necessitate a changed backline against Sunderland, although options are limited in midfield and attack, with Eberechi Eze set to feature, having been rested against Slavia Prague. As for Le Bris, Omar Alderete's injury has resulted in a rejigged backline, with Sunderland empoying a five-man backline in their recent games, which included wins over Chelsea, Wolves and a draw against Everton.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's game:
How to watch:
The match will be shown on Sky Sports in the U.K., NBC / Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India and Stan Sport in Australia. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8, 5.30 pm BST (12.30 pm ET, 11 pm IST, 3.30 am AEDT, Sunday)
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: James Bell
Team News:
Sunderland
Omar Alderete, D: concussion, DOUBT
Ajibola Alese, D: shoulder, OUT, est. return mid-Nov
Dennis Cirkin, D: wrist, OUT, est. return mid-Nov
Leo Hjelde, D: achilles tendon, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Habib Diarra, M: groin, OUT, est. return mid-Dec
Romain Mundle, F: hamstring, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Arsenal
Kai Havertz, F: knee, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Gabriel Jesus, F: ACL, OUT, est. return late-Dec
Noni Madueke, F: knee, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Martin Ødegaard, M: knee, OUT, est. return mid-Nov
Gabriel Martinelli, F: knock, DOUBT
Kepa Arrizabalaga, GK: personal reasons, DOUBT
Viktor Gyokeres, F: hamstring, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Expected Lineups:
Sunderland (5-4-1)
GK: Robin Roefs
RB: Trai Hume | CB: Dan Ballard | CB: Lutsharel Geertruida | CB: Nordi Mukiele | LB: Reinildo Mandava
RM: Bertrand Traore | CM: Granit Xhaka | CM: Noah Sadiki | LM: Enzo Le Fee
CF: Wilson Isidor
Arsenal (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya
RB: Ben White | CB: Cristhian Mosquera | CB: Piero Hincapié | LB: Riccardo Calafiori
CM: Declan Rice | CAM: Eberechi Eze | CM: Christian Norgaard
RW: Bukayo Saka | CF: Mikel Merino | LW: Leandro Trossard
Stats:
Sunderland's last win over Arsenal came in 2009, with the London giants unbeaten in the 15 games between the two clubs since (10-5-0 W-D-L).
Arsenal have lost to Sunderland only three times in Premier League history, all at the Stadium of Light (1997, 2000, 2009).
Mikel Arteta's side have racked up eight consecutive clean sheets (and eight wins) in all competitions, equalling a club record set in 1903. They can also equal another club record of five straight PL/First Division clean sheet victories set in 1987 by George Graham's side.
Arsenal's eight goals from corners are the most by any PL club, ever, 10 games into a season.
Arsenal have conceded only one shot on goal in their last four games. They have allowed an average of 1.9 shots per game in the PL this season, the lowest of any club on record (since 2003/04).
Latest news and analysis:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down the importance of age and experience after Max Dowman became the UEFA Champions League's youngest ever player.
Predicting the rest of the Premier League season: How all 20 teams will finish
After 10 games, we now have enough data to predict every Premier League team's final spot in the standings for the 2025-26 season.
Arteta hails key trait of history-making Dowman
Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal players are hungry to reach new levels of excellence after another landmark Champions League victory.
Grading the Premier League 'Big Six': Arsenal an A; Liverpool a D
Arsenal are the most consistent team and their mastery of set-pieces gives them an advantage over their rivals.
Arsenal's Arteta 'concerned' about Gyökeres injury
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says he is "concerned" about a muscular injury suffered by Viktor Gyökeres, with the Gunners working to discover the severity of the problem.
Sunderland rally for draw with Everton to stay in top 4
Captain Granit Xhaka's second-half equaliser earned Sunderland a point in a 1-1 draw against Everton.