Arsenal face Sunderland on Saturdayplaceholder image
Arsenal face Sunderland on Saturday | Getty Images
A look at the pundit predictions for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Sunderland.
Sunderland have had a superb season, very much in the European race, but their best form has come at home. The Black Cats are the only unbeaten top flight team at home, but they are currently in the bottom four when it comes to away form, and it will get no easier at the Emirates Stadium.
Here we round up the pundit predictions for this game from BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson.
Paul Merson
“I think the title will be wrapped up this weekend. I can't see Arsenal dropping points in this game. If Arsenal win, they will be nine points clear at the top and then Manchester City go to Anfield, which means it will all be over on Sunday
“Noni Madueke came in for Bukayo Saka after an injury during warm-up the other day. And in that game, they introduced Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli and Riccardo Calafiori off the bench! How many of these good players are not getting in their team?
“Arsenal went about it so quietly and built a really strong squad. I remember Pep Guardiola doing it at Manchester City but that was big news with players costing £60 or £70 million. But Arsenal have just built an unbelievable squad so quietly.
“I don't think Arsenal's quadruple credentials are being talked about enough. Nowhere near as much as when Manchester City and Liverpool were chasing it. The FA Cup will be the toughest trophy to win for them. They got a nice draw now, but if they play Manchester City, Chelsea or Liverpool in the next three rounds, they won't win!
“The league may be wrapped up, they could win the Champions League because I don't see a team that can beat them over two legs, but the FA Cup is different. You have 90 minutes and then you go straight to penalties, anything can happen in that competition. Sunderland were great in the win over Burnley last time out. But I expect a comfortable win for Arsenal in this game. Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland.”
Chris Sutton
“I am not going to say 2-1 for this one. Instead it will be another Arsenal clean sheet - they have already kept 12 in their first 24 league games, two more than any other team. It's a shame Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka is not fit to face his old club at the Emirates. When he played for the Black Cats against Arsenal in their draw at the Stadium of Light, they were the first team I saw who really rattled the Gunners.
“Xhaka's experience has helped to glue together a Sunderland side with a lot of young players this season, but they coped all right without him against Burnley on Monday. This is a much tougher game for them, obviously, and Sunderland's away form is nowhere near as strong as it is at home. Arsenal swept Leeds aside 4-0 last weekend, when everyone thought they were having a bit of a blip.
“They showed their strength in depth at Elland Road, when they lost Bukayo Saka in the warm-up, and I can see them winning comfortably this time too. Prediction: 2-0.”
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