Arsenal looks to further secure its position in the top four and rise back into third for the second time in four days as they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland live on NBCSN at 9:05 a.m. ET or live online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
[ WATCH LIVE: Sunderland vs. Arsenal live online at NBC Sports Live Extra ]
The Gunners took care of West Brom on Thursday to move into third position, but were jumped again by Manchester City after their demolition of Stoke City on Saturday. Manager Arsene Wenger has utilized an unchanged starting 11 from the win on Thursday, leaving Danny Welbeck on the bench.
Jack Wilshere also makes the Arsenal squad for the first time this season, on the bench after struggling for much of the year with injuries. Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky are both still out despite returning to training in the last few days.
For Sunderland, a shock win could see them off the bottom three, above Norwich and out of the relegation zone. Even a draw would see them jump Norwich City on goal differential. Having defeated Norwich last time out, Sam Allardyce has named an unchanged side from that victory, with USMNT regular DeAndre Yedlin in along the back line, a surprising inclusion considering an ankle injury he picked up in the Norwich win. Fabio Borini is also in after battling a hip problem.
With Sunderland fighting for their lives and Arsenal’s recent form, a draw could be in play today. The Gunners have drawn three of their last five games, and have won just three of their last 11 away matches in league play. However, Arsenal has had Sunderland’s number in this fixture, having won four straight at the Stadium of Light.
LINEUPS
Sunderland: Mannone, Yedlin, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, Kirchhoff, M’Vila, Cattermole, Borini, Khazri, Defoe.
Bench: Pickford, Jones, Larsson, Rodwell, N’Doye, O’Shea, Watmore.
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Ramsey, Ozil, Iwobi, Alexis, Giroud.
Bench: Ospina, Gabriel, Coquelin, Wilshere, Campbell, Walcott, Welbeck.