Arsenal look to maintain their lead atop the Premier League table, or even extend it, as they meet Sunderland at the Emirates on Saturday.
The Gunners hold a six-point advantage in the title race, with second-placed Man City set to face Liverpool tomorrow. Therefore, Mikel Arteta's side can extend the gap to nine, at least temporarily, with a win today.
Yet Sunderland are no ordinary newly-promoted side. The Black Cats sit eighth in the Premier League standings, having collected seven points over their last five matches even without excellent summer signing Granit Xhaka due to injury.
_The Sporting News is following the Arsenal vs. Sunderland match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis._
Arsenal vs. Sunderland live score
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****Score (Pregame)****
**Goal scorers**
**Arsenal**
**–**
–
****Sunderland****
**–**
–
Location: Emirates Stadium (London, England)
Referee: Samuel Barrott
_Keep track of every game and every goal via SN's [live Premier League scoreboard](https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/scores)_
**Starting lineups:**
**Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left):** 1. Raya (GK) — 12. Timber, 2. Saliba, 6. Gabriel, 33. Calafiori — 36. Zubimendi, 41. Rice — 20. Madueke, 29. Havertz, 19. Trossard — 9. Jesus.
**Sunderland (5-4-1, right to left):** 22. Roefs (GK) — 32. Hume, 20. Mukiele, 5. Ballard, 15. Alderete, 17. Reinildo — 19. Diarra, 27. Sadiki, 28. Le Fee, 7. Talbi — 9. Brobbey.
Arsenal vs. Sunderland talking points, analysis
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**30 mins to kickoff:** The last time these two teams met, Brian Brobbey scored a sensational late equaliser, with a 94th-minute goal to snatch a point and keep Arsenal in check. The Gunners will want to avoid such a result again, as any dropped points here could bring Man City back within a point at the top of the table.
**1 hour to kickoff:** Lineups are in! Bukayo Saka is held out for another match due to a hip injury, with Noni Madueke in for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus gets a rare start at the No. 9 position, with Viktor Gyokeres rotated to the bench.
For Sunderland, Brian Brobbey maintains his position at the head of the attack, having earned the regular striker role over the past two months with his good form having scored in three of his last five starts.
Arsenal vs. Sunderland reaction
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_Post-match comments from Mikel Arteta and Regis Le Bris will appear here._
Arsenal vs. Sunderland **team news**
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### Arsenal team news
**MORE:** [An in-depth rundown of all the latest Arsenal team news and injuries](https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/arsenal/news/arsenal-injury-list-players-out-return-dates-lineup-next-game/c397e516e5a76894854037b2)
* **Martin Odegaard** was a surprise absence from the squad to face Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal, and Mikel Arteta said his injury would be a "matter of days" suggesting this match could come too soon.
* **Bukayo Saka** will need to pass a late fitness test as he has been dealing with a hip injury, but **Jurrien Timber** should be able to participate.
* A broken foot has sidelined **Mikel Merino** for much of the remaining season, although he hopes to return sometime in April before it concludes.
### Sunderland team news
* Former Arsenal midfielder **Granit Xhaka**, who arrived this summer from Bayer Leverkusen, has been missing with an ankle injury since mid-January, and is not expected back for another few weeks.
* Burkina Faso winger **Bertrand Traore** picked up a knee injury while on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations and will not return until towards the end of the month.
Arsenal, Sunderland upcoming schedules
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### Arsenal upcoming fixtures
**Date**
**Competition**
**Match**
**Location**
Thu, Feb. 12
Premier League
Brentford vs. **Arsenal**
Gtech Community Stadium (London, England)
Sun, Feb. 15
FA Cup
**Arsenal** vs. Wigan Athletic
Emirates Stadium (London, England)
Wed, Feb. 18
Premier League
Wolves vs. **Arsenal**
Molineux Stadium (Wolverhampton, England)
### Sunderland upcoming fixtures
**Date**
**Competition**
**Match**
**Location**
Wed, Feb. 11
Premier League
**Sunderland** vs. Liverpool
Stadium of Light (Sunderland, England)
Sun, Feb. 15
FA Cup
Oxford United vs. **Sunderland**
The Kassam Stadium (Oxford, England)
Sun, Feb. 22
Premier League
**Sunderland** vs. Fulham
Stadium of Light (Sunderland, England)