Probable Lineups

4-2-3-1
Arsenal
4-4-1-1
Sunderland
© WhoScored.com

Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision

(69) 51 Goals 13 (39)
(53) 39 Assists 10 (22)
(6.8) 7 Average Ratings 6.9 (6.6)
25.7 Average Age 27
182.1 Average Height (cm) 180.8
(1.1) 1.2 Shots pg 0.6 (0.8)
(54%) 51% Aerial Duel Success 51% (45%)
(0.8) 0.8 Dribbles pg 0.4 (0.3)
(1.5) 1.6 Tackles pg 1.4 (2)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Premier League.

Missing Players

Player Reason Status Rating
Tomas Rosicky Out 7
Bacary Sagna Out 7.01
Jack Wilshere Out 6.99
Emmanuel Frimpong Out N/A
Laurent Koscielny Doubtful 6.92
Theo Walcott Doubtful 7.21
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Doubtful 6.75
Player Reason Status Rating
Phillip Bardsley Out 6.35
Stéphane Sessegnon Doubtful 6.7
Wes Brown Doubtful N/A
David Vaughan Doubtful 6.37

Team News

Arsenal
  • The likes of Wilshere, Sagna and Frimpong have all been sidelined for some time and are joined by Tomas Rosicky, though Wenger hopes all of them will be fit before November.
  • Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny all withdrew from international duty and while the former could feature, the latter pairing are serious doubts.
  • With van Persie now United-bound and Song's future still in doubt, the latter should still start in a midfield alongside new signing Santi Cazorla, and Podolski will perhaps take the Dutchman's place up front.
  • Gervinho has impressed in pre-season, so Olivier Giroud may have to make his competitive debut for the club from the bench.
Sunderland
  • Full-back Phil Bardsley will miss the start of the season having recently had ankle surgery, so John O'Shea should move across to the right.
  • Wes Brown and David Vaughan are both doubts and may not be risked, while key man Stephane Sessegnon also has an ankle problem and faces a fitness test.
  • O'Neill has a real shortage up front having lost Nicklas Bendtner and seems desperate to sign Wolves striker Steven Fletcher before the season begins.

Prediction

  • Despite still having a number of players sidelined, Arsene Wenger will enter the campaign with a far fitter squad than last time, with Sagna and Wilshere perhaps the only players missing out who would have made the line-up.
  • They have also strengthened well in the attacking third despite the sale of van Persie, but remain short at the back, particularly with no real established understudy to Sagna on the right. Sunderland will therefore look to James McClean to carry on from an impressive first season in the Premier League in the opener.
  • Sunderland's lack of signings could hinder their progress early on in the season though, and they may struggle to threaten, with Arsenal's firepower likely to be too much on Saturday.
Prediction:
Arsenal
2
0
Sunderland
© WhoScored.com

Latest Comments

 
  • LessBlues

    Gervinho looked better than he was. He slows down play too much.
    Shockingly, Arsenal lack a cutting edge or focal point in the box sans RVP.

    39 weeks ago
     +2  -1 Report
  • AntonS

    It's intresting see how Arsenal plays with RVP,I mean club's top player for about 2-3 years and Sir Alex "takes" him away from Gunners but i belive that Arsenal holds on and win's seasons first game at home

    39 weeks ago
       -1 Report
  • bo3ayed

    i think song wont play diaby will
    and giroud will play due to the fact that sunderland will sit deep

    40 weeks ago
       -1 Report
  • footballgod

    I cant see Podolski as the lone striker

    40 weeks ago
       -3 Report
  • Zidane95

    I think you're way off with the Arsenal lineup

    40 weeks ago
     +1  -2 Report
See all 5 comments

Head to Head Stats

R Team W D L Pts Form
4 Arsenal 21 10 7 73 dwdwww
17 Sunderland 9 12 17 39 wwlddl

Top Players

Arsenal
Sunderland
S. Cazorla 7.83
M. Arteta 7.31
T. Walcott 7.21
C. Cuéllar 7.14
S. Mignolet 7.01
S. Fletcher 6.97
T. Walcott 14
S. Cazorla 12
L. Podolski 11
S. Fletcher 11
S. Sessegnon 7
C. Gardner 6
S. Cazorla 11
T. Walcott 10
L. Podolski 9
A. Johnson 6
S. Larsson 3
S. Sessegnon 3

Match Forecast

Arsenal will control the game in the opposition's half  
Sunderland will be shown a high number of cards  
Arsenal will dominate possession  
Arsenal will score as a result of individual skill  
Arsenal will score a long shot  
* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characters.

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Data sources: Data Sources