Both teams only require a point to achieve an immediate objective this evening, for Sunderland, a point from their final two games guarantees them Premier League survival at the expense of one of their northeast cousins Hull and Newcastle. For Arsenal, it would secure automatic Champions League qualification without the need for the August preliminary match.
The plot is slightly more complex however, Sunderland only need a point from two games, but they happen to be away at Arsenal and Chelsea. The Gunners still have a chance for second place and also have the F.A. Cup Final on the horizon, so it would do neither team any good to relax the intensity.
For Arsenal, they may consider their final two home games as a chance to give some players some much needed game time ahead of the Wembley showpiece. I would expect Kieran Gibbs, Gabriel, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and, if they are fit, Danny Welbeck and Mathieu Debuchy, to pick up some minutes over the final two matches.
Arsenal looked to have relaxed a little in the first half of the match against Manchester United on Sunday, which might be interpreted as a worrying sign. Automatic Champions League qualification is an important target and the Gunners will need plenty of wind in their sales for the Cup Final. Once relaxed, it is difficult to restore intensity and focus on demand.
Sunderland are likely to come and try to frustrate Arsenal. A 0-0 guarantees survival for them and it would be an enormous surprise to see them play for anything else. Arsenal failed to break down Chelsea and Swansea in their last two home games. Sunderland aren’t as gifted as those teams, but their tactcis will certainly be the same.
Vital Quotes:
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told the club’s official website that his team must avoid another ‘accident’ at home to Sunderland.
‘For me the Swansea game was an accident,” Wenger said. “Having analysed it, it`s one of the games we deserved to win the most of all the games. We lost two in two or three years now, so you can say that`s an accident.
‘Sunderland need a point to be safe so I expect them to be well organised defensively, sound at the back, and to try to use all the counter-attacks they can, all the set-pieces they have, to score goals. We have to put a high rhythm into this game and play with a high level of energy to win the game.
“Sunderland, for a few years now, have struggled until five, six games before the end,” said Wenger. “First Paolo di Canio saved them, then Gus Poyet saved them, and now Advocaat saved them, so always they just find the final resources to get out of relegation.
“Advocaat has used his vast experience to give them confidence again, and to get them to play. I think as well, players certainly questioned themselves and respond always with a few games to go.”
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has praised Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, ahead of the first encounter between the two experienced coaches, ‘”I`ve met him once in Switzerland for a coaches get-together,” said Advocaat.
“I`ve managed many, many Champions League games with Rangers, PSV and Zenit, but never against Arsenal. It`s strange.
‘I admire Wenger and Mourinho, because everyone can say what they want about them, but it`s unbelievable what they have achieved,” he said.
“Arsenal play the right way with a great manager, although so is Mourinho.
“They are two of the best managers in the world. It doesn`t matter where they work, they show their commitment to the club with the results and prizes.”
‘”I always think against the top teams, like Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, they like to play football,” the Dutchman said.
“They give you the chance to do something.
“That will happen, so we have to win the duels.
“Arsenal have too much individual skill for us to just defend.
“We have to make it as hard for them as possible defensively, play sharp and create our own chances.”
Arsenal Team News:
Mathieu Debuchy, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain are not yet ready after injury lay offs. Laurent Koscielny is a doubt due to a virus, Danny Welbeck’s knee injury keeps him out.
Arsenal (from); Szczesny, Debuchy, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Koscielny, Rosicky, Wilshere, Ozil, Giroud, Ospina, Walcott, Ramsey, Alexis, Monreal, S.Cazorla, Flamini, Chambers, Coquelin, Bellerin.
Player to watch: Jack Wilshere
Wilshere has looked nice and sharp in his substitute appearances against Hull and Manchester United and with Santi Cazorla looking a little leggy, Jack will surely get his chance in the centre of midfield tonight.
Sunderland Team News:
Liam Bridcutt joins Wes Brown and Jordi Gomez on the sidelines, after he was injured in the 0-0 draw with Leicester at the weekend. But Billy Jones is fit.
Sunderland (from); Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Fletcher, Wickham, Johnson, Réveillère, O’Shea, Graham, Alvarez, Coates, Giachherini, Mannone, Vergini, Defoe, Buckley.
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe
Whilst not the force he once was, Defoe is one of the few Sunderland players capable of conjuring something from nothing. Sunderland are likely to do a lot of defending tonight, when they do attack, they will need Defoe’s finishing to be on point.
Match Facts & Stats
?Sunderland have won just one of their last 22 Premier League games against Arsenal, and are winless in the last 10 (D3, L7).
Their last league victory away to the Gunners was in November 1983, which was Tony Adams’ debut.
The Gunners could lose back-to-back Premier League home games for the first time since 2011, when they lost to Aston Villa in May and then Liverpool in August.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 17 league games played on a Wednesday (W10, D7).
Sunderland have only lost one of their last six league games (W3, D2).
If booked, Lee Cattermole will become the first player to receive 15 Premier League yellow cards in a single season. He would also earn a three-game ban.
Ref Watch:
Great, it’s Anthony Taylor.
Match Prediction:
I fancy a low key Arsenal win by a single goal, Walcott to bring the goods.
Next Fixtures:
Arsenal play at home to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday at 3pm, Sunderland play away at Chelsea at the same time.