Arsenal v Sunderland preview: Sunderland need draw to secure Premier League status
Wednesday 20 May 2015 19:49, UK
Arsenal host Sunderland on Wednesday in a Ford Football Special, with the Black Cats needing a solitary point to secure their status in the top flight.
Live Ford Football Special
Dick Advocaat's team are on track for their second consecutive great escape as they sit 16th - three points above Hull, who occupy the final relegation spot and will be relegated regardless of tonight's result if they fail to beat Manchester United on Sunday.
The visitors have lost only one of their last six matches - a 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Gunners secured their passage to next year’s Champions League group stage with a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and second spot is still possible if they win both remaining games and Manchester City fail to get anything at home to Southampton on the final day.
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Arsenal are likely to be without Laurent Koscielny as he recovers from a bout of the flu so Brazilian Gabriel could start alongside Per Mertesacker in central defence.
Mathieu Debuchy is not expected to return to full training until Friday and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck are also unavailable. Theo Walcott, whose deflected strike earned the Gunners a point in Manchester, may feature from the off.
Defender Billy Jones has become the latest injury problem for Sunderland after sustaining a muscle problem in the goalless draw with Leicester.
Wes Brown, Jordi Gomez and Ricky Alvarez remain sidelined through knee injuries while Jack Rodwell is out with a hamstring strain.
Opta stats
Arsenal have won seven and lost none of their last 10 Premier League matches against Sunderland.
Sunderland have alternated between defeats and 0-0 draws on their seven visits to the Emirates Stadium.
Olivier Giroud has scored three goals in four Premier League games against Sunderland.
Lee Cattermole received his 14th booking of the season on Saturday, the joint-most in a PL season, level with Mark Hughes, Robbie Savage and Cheick Tioté. All 14 have been for fouls.
34 per cent of the goals Arsenal have conceded this season have been from headers, the highest proportion in the top flight.
Betting
Arsenal are odds on to win the game with Sky Bet at 2/7, with the draw at 9/2 and Sunderland 9/1 to grab a shock away win.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas is tipping a comprehensive 3-0 win for the Gunners with Alexis Sanchez to score, that scenario priced at a whopping 19/1.
Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe faces Arsenal for the first time since returning from his season in Major League Soccer and is 11/1 to open the scoring at the Emirates.
Watch Arsenal v Sunderland in the Premier League live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm on Wednesday night. Not a subscriber? Get a NOW TV Day Pass for just £6.99.
