Sunderland vs Arsenal | Saturday 5:30 | ESPN

Really bored so I'll make one of these for tomorrows evening kick-off, Arsenals first evening kick-off of the Premier League season, likewise for Sunderland I believe.

Match Facts
• These sides have met on 137 previous occasions (all competitions). Arsenal have won 52 to Sunderland's 49.
• The Gunners have only lost one of their last 13 against the Black Cats, a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light last November.
• Arsenal have lost only three of their nine Premier League visits to Sunderland.
Sunderland
• They have lost only one of their last 12 home matches in the Premier League.
• They have conceded four Premier League goals this season - all in the last 15 minutes of matches.
Arsenal
• Arsenal have only won two of their last nine Premier League games in the north east.
• They and Chelsea have both had 40 shots on target this season - the most in the division. Sunderland have had the fewest (13).



So, the statistics all head for maybe a draw, or perhaps a loss for Arsenal. But, as we've seen in the past statistics mean nothing. With Arsenals current form I'm going to predict a nail-biting 2-1 Arsenal.


Will add team line-ups as soon as availiable

Gyan against Arsenal's backline should be interesting. Wanna see if Cesc stays hot also.

-Of course we'll also have to see how the ref performs after all this bullshit back and forth in the press about whether the Arsenal are getting protection from Wenger through the media.

Vermaelen and Diaby still out, hopefully back next week. Looking at:

--------------Almunia------------------
--Sagna - Squillaci - Koscielny - Clichy--
---------Song - Wilsh/Ros/Den----------
-------Nasri - Fabregas - Arshavin------
----------------Chamakh---------------

Bench: Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Eboue, Wilshere/Rosicky/Denilson, Vela

I'm moving this thread to the Match-day threads subforum, delete this please mods.