PREVIEW: League leaders Arsenal look to go nine points clear with win over Sunderland | OneFootball

Table-toppers Arsenal host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with the opportunity to go nine points clear of second place Man City.

The Gunners responded to their first home defeat of the season to Manchester United with wins in the Champions League and the Premier League, also securing a 1-0 win against Chelsea to reach a first Carabao Cup final since 2017.

Mikel Arteta’s side play a day before their cup final opponents and title rivals Manchester City, with the chance to push nine points clear of the Mancunians a golden opportunity for the Gunners.

However, Saturday’s opponents have proven a formidable challenge for Arsenal already this season, with Brian Brobbey’s 94th minute goal to make it 2-2 keeping the Black Cats’ undefeated home record alive.

That’s a record that is still standing in February, with the promoted side the only team to have done so this season.

Away form tells a different story, with Sunderland having the fourth worst record on the road in the division having secured just two victories away from the Stadium of Light.

Both club captains could be absent from the game, with Granit Xhaka dealing with an ankle injury whilst Martin Odegaard missed the Gunners’ midweek matchup with Chelsea.

Arsenal confirmed Mikel Merino is set to miss a large remainder of the season ahead of surgery on a stress fracture in his foot.

Bukayo Saka looks to also be missing following an injury in the warm-up of last weekend’s Premier League match with Leeds United, with Noni Madueke the likely candidate to fill in for Arsenal’s star winger.

Viktor Gyokeres will be eyeing up a chance to add to his tally this season, with three goals in his last five games easing the building pressure after his £64 million summer switch from Sporting Lisbon.

Gyokeres’ opposite number Brian Brobbey has found his place leading the Sunderland attack, with five Premier League goals so far and will no doubt be the threat to keep an eye on for Arsenal’s formidable backline.

Sunderland’s fairy tale story this season has them currently eighth, firmly placed in the race for European football and just three points behind reigning champions Liverpool.

History doesn’t look so fondly on Sunderland in this fixture, with their last Premier League victory against Arsenal in 2009 and they’ve never won at the Emirates.

Whilst the title challengers will be confident of moving three points closer, Regis Le Bris’ side will prove a tough obstacle to overcome.

The game takes place on Saturday 7th February at 3 PM from the Emirates Stadium.