Arsenal vs Sunderland Match Preview (England Premier League)

Arsenal and Sunderland will both be looking to improve poor starts to the season when they go head to head at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have won only twice in their first seven games, while Sunderland have tasted victory only once this season.

Bacary Sagna is ruled out for Arsenal, while the Gunners will be boosted by the return from injury of Tomas Rosicky, Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny.

Phil Bardsley is suspended for Sunderland, while on-loan striker Nicklas Bendtner is ineligible to play against his parent club. Attacking midfielder Seb Larsson is fit for Sunderland and will relish the prospect of playing against his former employers.

Sunday October 16th

Arsenal v Sunderland

Emirates Stadium

Kick-off: 13.30 BST

TV: Sky Sport 1, Highlights BBC2 Match of the Day2.

Arsenal (Probable, 4-3-3): Szeczeny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Andre Santos; Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott; Gervinho, Van Persie, Arshavin.

Out: Sagna (broken leg), Diaby, Wilshere (both ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles).

Test: Rosicky (groin), Koscielny (ankle), Djourou (hamstring).

Sunderland (Probable, 4-5-1): Mignolet; Elmohamady, O'Shea, Brown, Richardson; Wickham, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Larsson; Sessegnon.

Out: Bendtner (ineligible), Gordon, Campbell (both knee).

Suspended: Bardsley, Bramble (club ban).

Referee: Howard Webb (Matches 5, R3 Y25).

Ladies and Gentlemen: the Premier League is back. After what feels like ages away, Arsenal welcome Sunderland to the Emirates tomorrow in a match between the 15th and 16th place teams in the league. While every match is just as important as the next in the league, a win tomorrow to kickstart a run of form would be most welcome for Arsenal, who only have seven points from seven matches this year. That fact, by the way, makes my left lung feel a little bit like it's trying to eat my spleen.