The so-called Granit Xhaka derby will take place at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon as Sunderland host Arsenal in what promises to be a thrilling Premier League top-four encounter.
The home side have been one of the surprise packages of the season, sitting just seven points and three places behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. However, the Gunners face a daunting task, no team has managed to beat Sunderland at home in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal’s midweek Champions League clash with Slavia Prague went exactly as expected a convincing win, a clean sheet, and another outstanding performance from stand-in striker Mikel Merino, who filled Viktor Gyokeres’s absence with a brilliant display.
Merino struck twice, Bukayo Saka converted from the penalty spot, and Slavia’s own penalty was overturned as Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 victory. That result saw the Gunners achieve something no English top-flight team had done in 105 years — win eight consecutive matches in all competitions without conceding a goal.
Before that, Arsenal had enjoyed another composed away performance, easing past Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor to keep their six-point lead over Manchester City intact at the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners have not conceded a goal since their draw with Newcastle in September and now have the chance to make club history by recording five straight league victories with clean sheets for the first time ever. The last time they managed such defensive dominance in the top division was during George Graham’s era in 1987.
Known for building teams around solid defensive foundations, Graham would certainly appreciate Arsenal’s current defensive numbers. The Gunners have allowed just 1.9 shots on target per game this season — the lowest average ever recorded in Premier League history.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have been one of the feel-good stories of the campaign. Although goalkeeper Robin Roefs conceded against Everton on Monday night, Regis Le Bris’s side preserved their unbeaten home record with a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Iliman Ndiaye had given Everton the lead, but Xhaka — now wearing Sunderland colours — netted his first Premier League goal for the club, with a deflection helping the ball find its way into the net.
That result kept Sunderland firmly in the Champions League qualification picture. The newly-promoted side sit fourth, ahead of big names like Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Newcastle. A win on Saturday could see them move into the top three, especially since either Manchester City or Liverpool are guaranteed to drop points in their showdown on Sunday.
Sunderland are among only a handful of Premier League sides — alongside Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Bournemouth — still unbeaten at home this season. They have also scored in all five of their home matches, which suggests Arsenal’s watertight defence will face a serious test at the Stadium of Light.
Interestingly, the same ground was the scene of Sunderland’s last league victory over Arsenal, a 1-0-win way back in 2009. Since then, Arsenal have gone unbeaten in 15 straight top-flight meetings with the Black Cats, a record they will look to extend this weekend.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
In typical Arsenal fashion, Viktor Gyokeres produced his best first-half performance of the season against Burnley, only to suffer a cruel muscle injury that will keep him out of this match. However, the Swedish striker is expected to be fit in time for the North London derby on November 23.
One positive for Arsenal is the return of summer signing Martin Zubimendi, who sustained a minor injury at Turf Moor but has since rejoined training. He missed the midweek win over Slavia Prague due to suspension but is available for selection this weekend.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga remains doubtful after picking up a knock and would likely have been on the bench regardless. Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard are all sidelined with various injuries and will play no part in this fixture.
For Sunderland, defender Omar Alderete was expected to recover from a concussion in time to face Everton but was left out as a precaution due to lingering symptoms. His involvement against Arsenal remains uncertain.
The Black Cats will be without five players through injury: Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles), and Habib Diarra (groin). Manager Regis Le Bris, however, confirmed that no new injuries were picked up during their last game.
Granit Xhaka, who will be facing his former club after making 225 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, is aiming to score in consecutive league games for the first time since 2023, when he found the net against Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Isidor, Le Fee
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
EXPERT PREDICTION
Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal
