Prediction: Arsenal vs Sunderland

Verdict: Home win to nil

Best odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Betfair

Before switching their scarves to full Liverpool red on Sunday, Arsenal fans will don their traditional red and white on Saturday as they welcome Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium.

The Premier League leaders return home buoyed by Carabao Cup final anticipation, while the Black Cats continue to nurture hopes of a late push toward European qualification.

Arsenal

Arsenal arrived at Elland Road last weekend under scrutiny. Without a win in three Premier League matches, scoreless in two of those, and pushed to the edge by bottom‑placed Kairat in Europe, many expected another stumble against an improving Leeds United. Instead, Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a ruthless response.

Despite losing makeshift striker Mikel Merino and star winger Bukayo Saka to injury before kickoff, the Gunners produced a sensational 4-0 dismantling of the Whites. Their emphatic victory was followed by a perfect set of results elsewhere: Aston Villa unexpectedly slipped at home to Brentford, while Tottenham held Manchester City in a dramatic comeback. Arsenal now sit six points clear at the summit.

The London side also kept their quadruple hopes alive in midweek. Their EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea lacked entertainment, but Kai Havertz’s stoppage‑time tap‑in secured a 1-0 victory and a trip to Wembley.

Arsenal now target a fourth straight win in all competitions and a new Premier League milestone: they are unbeaten in 43 consecutive home matches against newly promoted sides, equalling Chelsea’s competition record from 2001 to 2015.

Supporters will turn temporary Liverpool fans on Sunday, hoping the Reds dent Manchester City’s title bid further—though Sunderland fans may find themselves pulling the other way, with City still within their club’s reach in the table.

Team News

The injury list has grown again for Arsenal. Merino’s foot injury may keep him out for the remainder of the season, while Saka’s hip issue is unlikely to clear up in time. Captain Martin Ødegaard missed the midweek cup win but could return from a minor “niggle,” and Max Dowman should not be sidelined for much longer.

Changes are expected, with Havertz set to return to the starting XI after his late heroics. He could feature alongside Gabriel Jesus, especially if Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze begin on the bench.

Sunderland

Sunderland endured a difficult festive period, failing to win any of their five matches from December 20 to January 7. Since then, however, Régis Le Bris’s men have turned a corner, winning three of their last four fixtures.

Their latest triumph was a commanding 3-0 win over Burnley, with Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi and an Axel Tuanzebe own goal sealing the victory. The Black Cats enter gameweek 25 in eighth place, just three points behind Liverpool in sixth and five away from the Champions League spots.

Their Achilles heel remains their away form. Sunderland have failed to win any of their last seven Premier League road matches, with their last away league victory coming at Chelsea in October.

Should they defeat Arsenal, they would become the first promoted side in Premier League history to beat both the Gunners and the Blues in the same season. They did hold Arsenal to a 2-2 draw in November, but they have not beaten the league leaders away from home since 1983.

Team News

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka will not return to north London, as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Bertrand Traoré (knee) and January signing Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) are also unavailable.

Le Bris is expected to keep the same XI that dispatched Burnley, featuring Arsenal academy graduate Dan Ballard in defence and striker Brian Brobbey—who could become the first Sunderland player in 72 years to score home and away against Arsenal in a single league season.

Head‑to‑Head

Arsenal have historically dominated this fixture, especially at home, where Sunderland have not won since 1983.

The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 2-2 draw, but the Gunners have controlled the majority of meetings over the past decade, particularly at the Emirates, where newly promoted sides rarely escape with points.

Conclusion

Arsenal’s midweek victory required minimal exertion, and after cutting through a compact Leeds defence with ease, Arteta’s side should feel confident returning home. Sunderland deserve immense credit for their season so far, but their continued struggles on the road—and their tendency to concede high shot volumes—suggest they may find it difficult to withstand the league leaders.

Arsenal look well placed to secure another comfortable victory.

Verdict: Home win to nil

Best odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Betfair