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, sidelined by a thigh problem, though Enzo Le Fée, Nilson Angulo and Granit Xhaka should all continue to anchor a side that has taken four points from three games this season. Arsenal, missing the injured William Saliba (lower back) and carrying doubts over Cristhian Mosquera, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and the injured Jurrien Timber (groin/hip/pelvic), still travel with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz leading the line after both were among the scorers in Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
Expect a tight, low-scoring watch at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have scored just 1 goal in each of their 3 league matches this season, and Arsenal have shipped only 1 goal across their 2 fixtures, a platform built in part by Ben White’s distribution (3 chances created) at the back. Saka’s movement in behind, allied to Havertz’s threat in the box, should be enough to find the breakthrough that Sunderland’s defense has otherwise made hard to come by.
US viewers can watch Sunderland vs Arsenal on NBC and Peacock.
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Season Form & Standings
Sunderland have taken 4 points from their opening 3 league games, with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss so far this season. Arsenal have made a fast start, winning their opening 2 fixtures for 6 points 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 Confirmed Starting Lineups
Sunderland
4-2-3-1Arsenal
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland): Le Fée has 1 goal from 7 shots, 2 of them on target, in 259 minutes of action this season.
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Saka leads the visitors’ forward line with 2 goals from 5 shots and 2 chances created in just 158 minutes.
- Kai Havertz (Arsenal): Havertz has added 1 goal from 2 shots, with 2 on target, in 180 minutes.
Recent Form
Sunderland: 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)
Sunderland’s last 5 results read D W L W D, including a 1-1 draw at Brentford most recently and a 1-0 home win over Fulham before that.
Arsenal: W W
- 2026-08-31: Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal (W, away)
- 2026-08-21: Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City (W, home)
Arsenal’s last 5 results read W W W W W, a 1-0 win at Aston Villa the most recent of them following a 3-0 home win over Coventry City to open the season.
Sunderland vs Arsenal Prediction
Expect a tight, low-scoring afternoon at the Stadium of Light that swings on a single moment. Sunderland’s ledger reads 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss for 4 points so far, while Arsenal’s defense has conceded just 1 goal across their opening 2 league games. Bukayo Saka’s movement in behind should be enough to break the deadlock, and Signal’s model settles on a 0-1 win for Arsenal.
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