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Sunderland will be looking to bounce back from their last start 8-nil thrashing when they take on Arsenal at the Stadium of Light this weekend. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:00am (AEDT).
The less said about Gus Poyet’s side’s last start the better. The humiliation against Southampton led to goalkeeper Vito Mannone suggesting the players should pay for tickets and travel expenses of the estimated 2,500 Black Cat fans who witnessed the capitulation.
In any other side, Mannone, who had a shocker, would be lucky to keep his place, but he and the back four in front of him may escape the axe given Poyet’s limited defensive options.
Poyet’s resolve continues to be tested with news that loan signing Sebastian Coates will remain on the sidelines indefinitely.
Having won just once this season, Sunderland, still missing creative spark in the midfield, will need Emanuele Giaccherini to fire if they are any hope of turning around their season against an Arsene Wenger side looking to capitalise on a mid-week European win.
The Gunners are on a three-match winning streak at the Stadium of Light but head to Wearside without a Premier League win since September and their fifth game in 16 days will test the depth of Arsene Wenger’s side.
Labelled title contenders early in the season, a poor run of form compounded by injuries to key players (Mezut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny) has seen the Gunners slip to seventh on the table, 11 points behind leaders Chelsea. But with Danny Wellbeck (five goals in seven games) and Alexis Sanchez beginning to find form, Arsenal will be looking to continue Wenger’s 65th birthday celebrations with three points.
Arsenal, fresh from their come-from-behind win against Anderlecht mid-week, should win this one, but expect an improved Sunderland performance in front of their home fans, who probably won’t see the cost of their tickets’ refunded.
Join The Roar Sunday morning at 1:00am (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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