Overview
Not many people see the confrontation between Sunderland and Arsenal in November as the focus of the Premier League. However, the team that won the Championship play-off last season has created a miracle.
Coach Regis Le Bris's team has had an impressive start in their return to the top tournament, currently ranked fourth on the rankings. A victory at the Light Stadium will help them narrow the gap of 4 points with the leader Arsenal.
Sunderland have won 18 points - the best tally a newly promoted side has had in 10 Premier League games since Hull City in 2008-09 (20 points). The key to this success is their impressive form at home, where they are unbeaten in 5 matches (3 wins, 2 draws), after a 1-1 draw with Everton.
The last time they had a longer unbeaten run at the Light Stadium was from August to December 2010 under Steve Bruce (9 games). However, Sunderland's current streak could have been ended if it had not been for Everton's decline in the first half.
Captain Granit Xhaka helped the home team equalize with a shot in the second half, defeating Sunderland's former goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. And the Swiss international will certainly be eager to show himself against his former club.
Xhaka has made 225 Premier League appearances for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023, including 113 under Mikel Arteta. After Sunderland's first goal against Everton, he is now aiming to score in 2 consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since March and April 2023.
Although Le Bris's team is in impressive form, they have yet to win in their last 23 Premier League games against teams in the top 4 (D7 L16). Sunderland's most recent victory over such a team was against Chelsea in April 2014. Meanwhile, their most recent win over the top team was a 1-0 win over Man City in January 2012.
Arsenal have scored eight goals from corners in the Premier League this season - the highest number ever recorded by a team in their first 10 games of the season. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Mikel Arteta's players have scored a total of 51 goals from corners - 14 more than any other team in the competition.
Viktor Gyokeres has increased Arsenal's total goals from set-pieces to 10, with a close-range finish against Burnley in a 2-0 win in the previous round. However, the Swedish striker will not be able to participate in this match after suffering a muscle injury and being forced to leave the field at Turf Moor.
Head-to-head record
Despite an impressive start to the season, Sunderland are winless in their last 15 Premier League meetings with Arsenal (D5 L10).
The last time they beat the Gunners was in November 2009, with a 1-0 home win. However, there is still reason for fans at the Light Stadium to be optimistic.
All three of Sunderland's Premier League wins over Arsenal came at home and ended 1-0 (January 1997, August 2000 and November 2009).
However, Arsenal still have an impressive defensive record against this opponent. They have never conceded more than one goal in their last 16 visits to Sunderland in the competition.
Score prediction: Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal
The match between Sunderland and Arsenal takes place at 0:30 am on November 9 (Vietnam time).
