Graham Potter arriving at the Stadium of Light.placeholder image
Graham Potter arriving at the Stadium of Light. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta takes the Gunners to Sunderland in a tricky away fixture on Saturday.
The Black Cats have been the Premier League’s surprise package so far this season with 18 points already on the board. Sunderland sit fourth in the division and a win over Arsenal would see them climb to second, just four points off the London outfit.
Having conceded just three goals this season, Arsenal do go into the match as favourites but there’s a feeling that this could be the toughest test of the season yet for the Gunners with Sunderland tails up.
Arsenal face potential banana skin fixture at Sunderland
The Stadium of Light will be bouncing and Arteta must prepare his side for what will be a cauldron of atmosphere. Sunderland supporters must feel bulletproof at the moment and go into the clash on Saturday night with nothing to lose. That sort of mentality is what can fuel giant killings.
Even before the remarkable run of form, the Stadium of Light atmosphere had been noted by Premier League managers. After West Ham were beaten 3-0 on the opening day of the season, former manager Graham Potter said: “I have to say the atmosphere at Sunderland was one of the best I’ve ever experienced in the Premier League to be fair. Obviously it makes a difference, of course it does, because that environment, that atmosphere.”
Arteta must take those words seriously. Not only will Arsenal be playing the eleven Black Cats stars in front of them, but they will be up against a rowdy Wearside crowd.
Black Cats experts at turning scores around
The feeling that it could be a big test for Arsenal is shared by former Manchester United star Gary Neville. The pundit told the Stick to Football podcast: “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.”
Neville believes that the Gunners will drop points in a match for the third time this season and the first time since the 1-1 draw against Manchester City in September.
Arsenal will look to impose themselves on the match early but must also be wary of Sunderland’s ability to come from behind. Writing on social media platform X, Cannon Stats co-founder Scott Willis wrote: “No team in the Premier League has won more points after falling behind than Sunderland. They have seen their opponents take a lead 6 times and have turned that into an impressive 2-2-2 record. They are tied (with Arsenal) for points per time falling behind with 1.33.”
Even if the Gunners net in the opening minutes, they must look to increase their advantage and silence the Sunderland crowd. It’s the trickiest test of the season so far for Arsenal.
In other news, Mikel Arteta names Arsenal player who is a 'joy' to have after 'patient' Slavia Praha win.
Continue Reading