Pre-match overview
Sunderland (nickname "Black Cat") is the team that caused the biggest surprise in the Premier League this season and is currently ranked eighth in the standings. However, only 10 out of 36 points they have won away from home.
The last time Sunderland defeated Arsenal away from home in the number one league in England was in November 1983. Overall, the Gunners have gone 18 consecutive matches without losing to Sunderland at home in the highest level of English football.
In the first leg, the two teams drew 2-2. However, in the second leg, Arsenal will be determined to win to consolidate the top spot and have a chance to distance themselves from Man City - who will have a difficult match at Liverpool's home ground.
Predicted to face many difficulties in the relegation battle, Sunderland has played very well this season. After a 3-0 home victory over Burnley, they have 36 points and are almost certain to stay in the league as there are still three months left in the season. Even, the "Black Cats" have hope of competing for a European cup spot.
Regis Le Bris's team maintains an unbeaten record at home in the top league, with 7 wins and 5 draws, but they face more difficulties when playing away from home.
Sunderland has not won any of their last seven away matches in the Premier League, losing both of their last two matches with a three-goal difference each, taking place in London against Brentford and West Ham United last month. They also only scored three goals in that winless streak.
Force information
Bukayo Saka had to leave the warm-up before the match against Leeds last weekend due to a hip injury and is still being closely watched, while Martin Odegaard is gradually recovering and hopes to fully recover from a muscle injury that caused him to miss the win against Chelsea in the middle of the week.
Mikel Merino is still sidelined for a long time due to a foot injury, while Max Dowman needs a few more weeks to fully recover from an ankle injury.
Granit Xhaka will not be able to play against his old club because he also suffered an ankle injury and has been out of action for the past few weeks, like Arthur Masuaku's case. Bertrand Traore also suffered a knee injury and will not play.
Le Bris may give the opportunity to debut to new player Nilson Angulo, who just completed his move from Anderlecht after the contract was signed on the last day of the transfer window. Meanwhile, new player Jocelin Ta Bi is having problems with an ankle injury and is looking for an opportunity to debut in Sunderland's colors.
Statistics
In the Premier League, Arsenal has had 16 consecutive matches without losing at home against Sunderland, a record only behind Southampton (25) and Fulham (18). The Gunners are one of Sunderland's most difficult opponents away from home.
Sunderland has only won one of their last 28 matches against Arsenal in the Premier League, which was a 1-0 home win in November 2009.
Arsenal is unbeaten in their last 43 home matches against newly promoted teams, the longest streak in Premier League history (Chelsea also had 43 unbeaten matches from 2001 to 2015). Coach Arteta's team has also won 14 consecutive matches recently.
Sunderland has faced the third most shots in the Premier League this season (337) but conceded the fewest (26).
Arsenal have scored more goals from corner kicks than any other team in the Premier League this season (14), and are only two goals behind to break the record for the most goals from corner kicks in a season (16 goals for Oldham in 1992/1993, West Brom in 2016/2017 and Arsenal itself in the 2023-2024 season).
Four of Viktor Gyokeres' six Premier League goals were scored against newly promoted teams (3 goals against Leeds, 1 goal against Burnley).
Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs has made the third most saves (76), has the second highest save rate (74.3%) and kept a clean sheet in 8 Premier League matches.
The Arsenal vs Sunderland match will take place at 10:00 PM on February 7.
