Arsenal’s trail towards Champions League qualification takes them up to the North-East on Saturday as they take on high-flying Sunderland. The Gunners hammered seven past Blackburn last time around as they ended their four-match winless streak in the Premier League in a grand manner. But Sunderland are different kettle of fish and ever since Martin O’Neill took over the Black Cats in December there is only one direction they have moved, up. Sunderland have astonishingly lost only two of their last ten Premier League games and have in fact dropped points in only three games in the same period.
It is a remarkable turn around for a side that managed to secure only two victories in the Premier League up until the 1st week of December. The Black Cats sealed a place in the 5th round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the replay on Wednesday. Sunderland will face now Arsenal in the next round in a week’s time. Arsenal won the fixture at the Emirates earlier this season, with Robin van Persie scoring a brace in a 2-1 triumph.
Sunderland
The Martin O’Neill effect has well and truly embedded itself on Wearside as Sunderland continue their upward march. They were forced into an FA Cup replay in the 4th round after they drew with rivals Boro a few weeks back. The return leg at Riverside was a cracking encounter as the Sunderland took a 1st half lead through Jack Colback. But Boro equalized early in the 2nd half through Lukas Jutkiewicz. The game then headed into extra time and with a penalty shootout looming, Stephane Sessegnon grabbed the winner to send Sunderland through at the expense of their bitter rivals.
Another positive since O’Neill’s arrived has been the rapid development of James McClean. The Irish winger has been sensational since making his debut against Blackburn in December. His winning goal against Stoke last week demonstrated the sheer ability of the 22 year old as he burst into the box with the ball at his feet before firing a low shot past the keeper. The return of Frazier Campbell has added to the positive vibe around the Stadium of Light as the striker made a scoring return from his long injury lay-off in the 4th round fixture against Boro.
The former Man United striker’s return has added importance as Nicklas Bendtner is expected to be out for a few more weeks with a broken nose. Sunderland have already lost Wes Brown for an extended period due to a knee injury. Lee Cattermole is also unavailable as he continues to recuperate from a hamstring injury.
Arsenal
Arsenal finally got back to winning ways in the Premier League last weekend as they secured their first win in 2012. Following losses to Fulham, Swansea and Man United and a draw at Bolton, Arsenal’s season was once again threatened by a mini meltdown. When Morten Gamst Pederson equalized for Blackburn it seemed that the home fans were set for another disappointing afternoon. But the Gunners launched an astonishing attack as they blitzed the relegation threatened Blackburn side. Van Persie was the hero once again as he grabbed a hat-trick, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also caught the eye with his brace.
The 18 year old winger has been the find of the season and his impressive performances had caught the attention of the now ex-England manager Fabio Capello. Arsene Wenger has spoken of reducing the load on the youngster, something he failed to do with Jack Wilshere, who is still recuperating from an injury. There has been positive news from the physio room as Kieran Gibbs is set to be available for Saturday’s game after recovering from a hernia injury that has kept him out of action since November. Wenger can finally call upon two outright full-backs as Bacary Sagna also made a return to first team action.
The fight for the final Champions League spot intensifies with each passing week as all four teams involved trade blows. Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool are in a straight fight for 4th spot and Chelsea have only a four point lead over Liverpool in 7th. Newcastle were expected to fall behind at some point, but Alan Pardew’s men have continued to surprise everybody. Wenger has called for amazing consistency between now and the end of the season if they are to secure 4th spot.
Head-to-Head:
16th Oct, 2011: Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland
5th March, 2011: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Form Guide:
Sunderland: WWWDW
8th Feb, 2012: Middlesbrough 1-2 Sunderland (FA Cup)
4th Feb, 2012: Stoke 0-1 Sunderland
1st Feb, 2012: Sunderland 3-0 Norwich City
29th Feb, 2012: Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough (FA Cup)
21st Feb, 2012: Sunderland 2-0 Swansea
Arsenal: WDWLL
4th Jan, 2012: Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn
1st Jan, 2012: Bolton 0-0 Arsenal
29th Jan, 2012: Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa (FA Cup)
22nd Jan, 2012: Arsenal 1-2 Man United
15th Jan, 2012: Swansea 3-2 Arsenal
Probable Line-Ups:
Sunderland (4-4-1-1): Mignolet (Gk), Bardsley, O’Shea, Turner, Richardson, Larsson, Meyler, Gardner, McClean, Sessegnon, Campbell
O’Neill will be wary of straining his players after 120 minutes of football in mid-week. The back five are unlikely to change as Simon Mignolet will start in goal with Phil Bardsley, John O’Shea, Michael Turner and Kieran Richardson ahead of him. Seb Larsson and James McClean should be the starting wide players while David Meyler might come into the central midfield at the expense of either Colback or Craig Gardner. Sessegnon will be the creative fulcrum and he will start behind Campbell, unless O’Neill decides to rest the striker and start with Conor Wickham.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny (Gk), Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie
It is unlikely that Gibbs will make the starting eleven and might get a run out from the bench, if Arsenal are in a position where they can afford to bring on a defender for 15-20 minutes. The backline for now though pretty much picks itself. In midfield, Mikel Arteta and Alex Song will sit deep while Aaron Ramsey plays in the advanced role. Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain will bomb down the wings in support of Van Persie.
Prediction: Sunderland pose a threat to any side at the moment, as Man City found out recently. They are blessed with pace in the attack and unless Arsenal can keep Sessegnon in check, the Black Cats will carry a potent goal threat. For Arsenal it is the same old mantra: pass the ball to Van Persie and avoid defensive mistakes at the back.
Predicted Score: Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
(TheSportsCampus)
