Match Preview: Sunderland v Arsenal

Published: 20 Nov 2009 - 15:10:00

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SUNDERLAND Fulop Bardsley Nosworthy Da Silva Richardson Malbranque Henderson Cana Reid Bent Campbell Eduardo Arshavin Rosicky Diaby Fabregas Ramsey Silvestre Vermaelen Gallas Sagna Almunia ARSENAL Sunderland subs (from): Mensah, Zenden, McCartney, Ferdinand, Carson, Healy, Meyler, Murphy, Reed. Arsenal subs (from): Song, Senderos, Eboue, Mannone, Vela, Randall, Gilbert, Merida. SUNDERLAND: With Craig Gordon ruled out until February with a broken arm, Marton Fulop is likely to be handed the first chance to stake his claim for the first team shirt. The suspensions to Michael Turner and Kenwyne Jones frustrates manager Steve Bruce, but he does have John Mensah and Bolo Zenden available again after injury. Injuries: Gordon (broken arm), Cattermole (knee) Suspensions: Jones 2, Turner 1 Leading scorer: Bent 8 Last five league games: LDLWD Next game: vs Wigan (A) 28/11/09 ARSENAL: Mikael Silvestre is destined to make his first league start of the season for the Gunners because of injuries to Kieran Gibbs and Gael Clichy. There is also tinkering to be done further forward with leading scorer Robin van Persie out with ankle ligament damage, meaning Tomas Rosicky could come in to provide the supply to Eduardo with Andrey Arshavin. Injuries: van Persie (ankle), Gibbs (ankle), Clichy (back), Wilshere (ankle), Fabianski (thigh), Bendtner (hernia), Walcott (knee), Denilson (back), Djourou (knee). Suspensions: None Leading scorer: van Persie 7 Last five league games: WWDWW Key player: Andrey Arshavin " will be a dangerous outlet in the absence of van Persie. Last season: 1-1 Head to head: Sunderland 43, Arsenal 46, Draws 35 Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood) G14 Y43 R3 Cd Av: 3.28 Last Sunderland game: v Man United (a), 3/10/09, 2-2, Y5 R1 Odds: H9/2; A 8/15; D 5/2 It's a fact: Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn was the last player to score a winner against Arsenal for the Black Cats back in August 2000. Comment by Paul Fraser: Arsenal will be intent on proving they can cope without van Persie, but Sunderland have looked the part against the big four this season. Prediction: 2-2