Arsenal arrive With a Perfect record

Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light looking to continue an excellent start to the new season.
Mikel Arteta’s reigning Premier League champions have won all three of their opening league matches and have quickly demonstrated why they are once again expected to challenge at the top of the table.
Their strong start has also continued in Europe, with Arsenal beating Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League.
Defensively they have been particularly impressive, giving opponents very few opportunities and providing a strong foundation for their perfect start.

Sunderland have shown they can compete

Sunderland may enter this game as clear underdogs, but Régis Le Bris’ side should not simply be dismissed.
Four points from their opening three Premier League matches represents a respectable start, while their defensive performances have shown that Sunderland can make life difficult for opponents.
They also come into this fixture following a 1-0 League Cup victory over Hull City.
Facing the defending champions represents a significant step up in quality, but the Stadium of Light should provide Sunderland with a strong atmosphere for one of their biggest home matches of the season.

History heavily favours Arsenal

The head-to-head record makes difficult reading for Sunderland.
They have won just one of their last 29 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, while the Gunners are unbeaten in the last 17 league encounters between the clubs.
However, Sunderland did demonstrate last season that they can frustrate Arteta’s side.
The corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light finished 2-2, providing the hosts with some encouragement despite Arsenal’s overwhelming historical advantage.

Team News

Sunderland will be without Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle.
Arsenal have defensive concerns of their own, with William Saliba unavailable.
Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber are also fitness doubts ahead of the trip to the Stadium of Light.
Arteta may therefore have to make adjustments to a defence that has otherwise started the season in excellent form.

Verdict

Everything about Arsenal’s opening weeks suggests they deserve to enter this match as strong favourites.
Three Premier League matches, three victories and another win in Europe underline the confidence within Arteta’s squad.
Sunderland, however, have shown enough defensively to suggest this may not be straightforward.
They frustrated Arsenal at the Stadium of Light last season and will likely attempt to keep the game compact before looking for opportunities on the counterattack.
But Arsenal possess considerably more quality throughout the team, and their defensive strength means Sunderland may need to be extremely efficient with the chances they create.
If Arsenal maintain the level they have shown during the opening weeks, the champions should have enough to continue their perfect start.

Tip

Arsenal to win