Arsenal are looking to take another commanding step towards the Premier League title when they take on Sunderland this afternoon.
After their very impressive win away to Leeds United last time out, the Gunners are once again six points clear at the summit with 14 games left to go.
That big win at Elland Road followed by the victory over Chelsea that booked their place in the Carabao Cup final will have helped considerably ease the nerves around the Emirates.
Sunderland have already left their mark on Arsenal this season, however, holding them to a 2-2 draw back in November. The Black Cats have taken points off Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham this season and have demonstrated they are perfectly capable of causing problems for the big boys.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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February 7, 2026 3:31 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
31 mins | Lovely effort from Rice! The corner is played into the Gunners midfielder who takes a touch before bending one on goal. It’s close, but not close enough.
February 7, 2026 3:30 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
28 mins | Havertz is left in a heap after a challenge from Le Fee. Did he land an elbow? It certainly looked accidental with both men jumping for the ball.
February 7, 2026 3:27 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
26 mins | First booking of the afternoon goes to Saliba, hailing down Diarra after a neat spin away from the Sunderland midfielder.
February 7, 2026 3:26 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
23 mins | Ooof, Hume gets very lucky there! Madueke lifts on into the backpost and the Sunderland man almost slices it past his own goalkeeper!
February 7, 2026 3:22 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
18 mins | Plenty of crosses coming into the Sunderland box at the moment but Jesus isn’t really seeing much of the ball at the moment.
February 7, 2026 3:16 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
13 mins | Best chance of the game has gone to Sunderland so far. A few groans as Madueke is caught sleeping as Timber slides the ball out to his direction.
February 7, 2026 3:10 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
8 mins | Huge chance for Sunderland to take the lead! A free kick comes in and Raya makes a right mess of it, dropping it onto Ballard. It falls to Brobbey who has an empty net in front of him but Havertz makes up for his earlier miss with a vital block.
February 7, 2026 3:03 pm
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Tony Mogan
2 mins | Big chance in the opening minute for the Gunners – Trossard plays a lovely ball in for Havertz but he heads wide!
February 7, 2026 3:00 pm
Tony Mogan
And we are underway at the Emirates.
February 7, 2026 2:43 pm
Madueke in for Saka again
Tony Mogan
No goals or assists in the Premier League was a bit of a concern for Arsenal but Madueke stepped up when called upon last week at Leeds.
With Saka ruled out in the warm-up, the former Chelsea star registered two first-half assists at Elland Road.
Against his old club midweek he was a little wasteful but it is clear Arteta trusts him to step into the side.
Arsenal v Sunderland - Premier League
(Picture: Getty)
February 7, 2026 2:27 pm
Elsewhere today
Tony Mogan
Manchester United’s wonderful start to life under Michael Carrick has continued – they have eased to a 2-0 win over Tottenham.
February 7, 2026 2:21 pm
Sunderland’s miserable record against the Gunners
Tony Mogan
Apologies for the bleak reading if you’re a Sunderland fan. But the Black Cats have won just one of their last 28 top-flight games against Arsenal, a 1-0 home win in November 2009
February 7, 2026 2:16 pm
Arsenal looking to extend their lead
Tony Mogan
Aston Villa, seven points behind the Gunners, are in action away to Bournemouth this afternoon. Manchester City meanwhile are away to Liverpool tomorrow.
If they take care of business today and get a bit of luck elsewhere, Arsenal could be sitting very pretty indeed come Sunday evening.
February 7, 2026 2:07 pm
Gabriel to captain the Gunners
Tony Mogan
In the absence of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel will wear the armband today.
Arsenal v Sunderland - Premier League
(Picture: Getty)
February 7, 2026 2:02 pm
Still no room for Eze
Tony Mogan
Despite the absence of Martin Odegaard, Havertz gets the nod ahead of Eberechi Eze alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in midfield.
Eze did play the full 90 against Chelsea midweek with very little to show for it.
February 7, 2026 1:58 pm
Xhaka not involved against former club
Tony Mogan
Granit Xhaka was ruled out a little earlier this week having picked up a knock the day of the defeat to West Ham at the end of January.
February 7, 2026 1:55 pm
Havertz starts for the Gunners
Tony Mogan
The German starts just his second league game of the season, joining Jesus in a new-look attack with Gyokeres dropping to the bench.
Having recovered from injury, Riccardo Calafiori starts his first game of 2026.
February 7, 2026 1:50 pm
Sunderland XI to face Arsenal
Tony Mogan
Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Hume, Le Fée, Sadiki, Talbi, Diarra, Brobbey
Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Geertruida, Rigg, O’Nien, Angulo, Mayenda, Mundle, Isidor
February 7, 2026 1:47 pm
Arsenal XI to face Sunderland
Tony Mogan
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Madueke, Trossard, Jesus
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Martinelli, Gyökeres
February 7, 2026 1:46 pm
Saka and Odegaard out, Jesus leads the line
Tony Mogan
As expected, Saka and Odegaard are ruled out with injuries today.
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