Sunderland host Arsenal at Stadium of Light on Saturday, September 12 (3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT).
Sunderland go into this one without the injured Habib Diarra, ruled out by a thigh problem, leaving Enzo Le Fée and Granit Xhaka to dictate tempo through midfield, Nilson Angulo and Wilson Isidor to carry the attacking threat, and Trai Hume marshalling from the back. Arsenal travel without the injured William Saliba, sidelined by a lower back issue, while Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera are all doubts; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis remain the headline names expected to feature if fit.
Points-wise, Sunderland have taken 4 from 3 games while Arsenal have taken 6 from 2, both wins, and that gap in cutting edge should decide a match unlikely to open up. Sunderland’s goal difference sits at 0 through 3 outings, a sign their attack has had to work hard for openings, while Saka’s 2 goals from just 158 minutes show how little service Arsenal have needed to strike. Expect a scrap for the smallest of margins at the Stadium of Light rather than an end-to-end shootout.
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Best Bets & Predictions
Arsenal look to extend a perfect start on the road against a Sunderland side still searching for consistency.
Our approach: we weigh the standings, recent form and underlying player metrics together, and here they all point the same way — Arsenal to edge a tight, low-scoring afternoon rather than run away with it.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Sunderland have collected 4 points from 3 games (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss) and sit on a goal difference of 0, while Arsenal have made a perfect start with 6 points from 2 wins and a +4 goal difference.
Premier League
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| Sunderland | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
Sunderland vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Sunderland
3-2-3-1Arsenal
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland): Enzo Le Fée has scored 1 goal and created 1 chance in 259 minutes, Sunderland’s main source of craft through midfield.
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Bukayo Saka already has 2 goals from just 5 shots this season, needing barely a sight of goal to make it count.
- Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal): Riccardo Calafiori has 2 assists and 2 chances created from left-back, an extra attacking outlet Sunderland will need to track.
Recent Form
Sunderland: D W L W D
- 2026-09-05: Brentford 1-1 Sunderland (D, away)
- 2026-08-30: Sunderland 1-0 Fulham (W, home)
- 2026-08-22: Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland (L, away)
- 2026-05-17: Everton 1-3 Sunderland (W, away)
- 2026-05-09: Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United (D, home)
Sunderland’s last 5 results read draw, win, loss, win, draw. Their goal difference remains 0 from 3 games this season.
Arsenal: W W W W W
- 2026-08-31: Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal (W, away)
- 2026-08-21: Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City (W, home)
- 2026-05-18: Arsenal 1-0 Burnley (W, home)
- 2026-05-10: West Ham 0-1 Arsenal (W, away)
- 2026-05-02: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham (W, home)
Arsenal have won all 5 of their last matches, including both games so far this season for 6 points and a +4 goal difference.
Sunderland vs Arsenal Prediction
This looks set to be a tight, low-scoring afternoon at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have taken 4 points from 3 games and have shown they can be difficult to break down, but Arsenal have won both of their opening fixtures and arrive with the sharper cutting edge. Expect Arsenal’s quality to tell without either side flooding the scoresheet: Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal.