Arsenal will have the chance to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners travel to the Stadium of Light to face high-flying Sunderland.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 01, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta will oversee Arsenal's first trip to Sunderland since 2017 this weekendCredit: Getty
Mikel Arteta told to make one key change as injuries threaten to derail Premier League title bid
Mikel Arteta's side are currently on a 13-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Meanwhile, their 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday secured an eighth consecutive clean sheet.
However, their next opponents are currently fourth following promotion back to the top-flight having already beaten Chelsea this season.
The Black Cats could have found themselves second had they beaten Everton on Monday.
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It will be their first league meeting between Sunderland and Arsenal since May 2017.
The home side have won just one of their last 27 Premier League matches against the Gunners dating back to 2000.
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Date and where to watch
Arsenal will travel to the North East on Saturday, November 8, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage from 5pm.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also have regular updates from the Stadium of Light throughout the match.
You can join Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy on the GameDay Phone-In to keep up to date with the action.
To tune in on the talkSPORT website, click HERE for the livestream.
Alternatively, you can also listen on the talkSPORT app here, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland celebrates with teammate Reinildo Mandava after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light on November 03, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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The Black Cats are fourth in the Premier League after their promotion last seasonCredit: Getty
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Team news
Regis Le Bris could be without defender Omar Alderete for a third match in a row.
The centre-back remains a doubt with a head injury after missing out against both Chelsea and Everton in recent weeks.
Habib Diarra remains sidelined until December due to a groin injury.
Meanwhile, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Romaine Mundle and Leo Hjelde are not expected to return until after the international break.
As for Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi is a fitness concern after asking to come off against Burnley last weekend.
The Spaniard missed the midweek Champions League win through suspension.
Back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also being assessed ahead of Saturday.
Arteta is set to be without a senior striker, though, after Viktor Gyokeres picked up a hamstring injury against the Clarets.
He joins Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard on the treatment table.
The Gunners expect to welcome all five players back ahead of facing Tottenham in the north London derby on November 23.
However, long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus remains unavailable with his return from a torn ACL not slated until January.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 01, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Arsenal are set to be without Viktor Gyokeres for their latest Premier League clashCredit: Getty
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Last five meetings
December 2021 - Arsenal 5-1 Sunderland, League Cup
May 2017 - Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland, Premier League
October 2016 - Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal, Premier League
April 2016 - Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal, Premier League
January 2016 - Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland, FA Cup
Sunderland vs Arsenal: What's been said?
Black Cats captain Granit Xhaka is relishing the chance to face his former club.
It will be the Swiss midfielder's first-ever meeting with Arsenal, who he spent seven years with between 2016 and 2023.
Xhaka said: "I’m very happy to have had the chance to win trophies with this football club.
"It was up and down, not so easy the first couple of years. Different coaches — after 22 years Arsene Wenger left and a new philosophy came with Unai Emery, who did a great job, got to a Europa League final.
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"Saturday will be special, for sure, because I am now on the opposite side, against them for the first time.
"Let’s see what happens."