Why Everton draw was a good point for Sunderland
Sunderland host Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening.
Regis Le Bris’ men have enjoyed an unexpectedly positive start to their long-awaited Premier League return, taking 18 points from their first 10 matches, losing on just two occasions, and climbing up to fourth in the table.
For their part, Arsenal are currently six points clear at the summit, and are in the midst of a historically mean defensive streak at the time of writing. The Gunners have kept eight consecutive clean sheets across all competitions, have conceded just three goals in the league the so far this season, and are on their best defensive run in 122 years.
What has Jeff Stelling said about Sunderland’s chances against Arsenal this weekend?
And taking all of that into account, Stelling has suggested that it will be Mikel Arteta’s men who sweep to a comfortable victory on Wearside. Speaking to talkSPORT ahead of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, he said: “We start Saturday at 5.30pm with a tricky test for the league leaders Arsenal. They head to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.
“In fact, a tough week for Arsenal in general, with a European game in midweek as well. But there have been no chinks in their armour at all in the Premier League so far. Sunderland haven't beaten the Gunners in the league since 2009 when Darren Bent scored the only goal of the game. I feel, though, that Sunderland will go the same way as Burnley. I'm going Sunderland 0 - 2 Arsenal.”
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What has Gary Neville said about Sunderland’s chances against Arsenal this weekend?
But whereas Stelling has credited Sunderland with little chance of securing a positive result against Arsenal, fellow pundit Neville has suggested that the Black Cats’ resilience and impressive home form could cause the Gunners a few problems.
Indeed, not only has the ex-Manchester United defender backed Le Bris’ side to earn a point on home soil, but has also predicted that they will bring an end to their visitors’ long run of clean sheets.
Speaking on the latest edition of the Stick to Football podcast, when making his predictions for the weekend’s top flight fixtures, Neville said: “They could get something, awkward aren’t they? 1-1. Yeah, I don’t know why I’ve done that, but Sunderland are tough there.”
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