Sunderland v Arsenal: Key stats and talking points

Arsenal will look to extend their perfect start to the new season when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday (20:00 BST) in the Premier League. The Gunners head to Wearside on the back of an impressive win over Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday. Arsenal have also won all three of their league games so far this campaign, making a strong start to the defence of the title they won last season. Sunderland have bounced back well after an opening-weekend loss to Ipswich Town , taking four points from games against Fulham at home and Brentford away in their subsequent fixtures. Can the Black Cats disarm the Gunners? In the early weeks of last season, Sunderland were one of the few sides to give the Gunners problems. Dan Ballard's opening goal against Arsenal in November 2025 was the first time Mikel Arteta's side had conceded in eight games at the time; a stoppage-time strike from Brian Brobbey earned the Black Cats a 2-2 draw. While they are capable of giving Arsenal a bloody nose, getting over the line and beating the Gunners has not been easy for Sunderland down the years. Sunderland have only won one of their last 14 league games against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats actually only have one victory in 29 Premier League meetings against the Gunners, and are winless in 17. How will they go about changing that record? With Arsenal likely to have the majority of the ball, Sunderland are likely to fall back on the direct style that has served them so well since returning to the Premier League. Under head coach Regis le Bris, they like to move the ball forward quickly. [BBC] Martin making his mark Arsenal's start to the season has been supercharged by the form of their resurgent skipper, Martin Odegaard. The midfielder netted one goal last season. This term, he has four in five games, including the winner against Napoli in midweek, as his sweet strike from the edge of the box capped off an excellent 29-pass move. There has been a clear tactical shift in Odegaard's playing style this season, meaning he is getting much more of the ball in increasingly dangerous areas. Overall, his shots, expected goals and touches in the opposition box are up this season per 90 compared with last term. [BBC] Odegaard's movements off the ball also illustrate more of a willingness to get into goalscoring positions. In the Premier League this season, he has already made seven cross-option runs – a run to get into the penalty area to make yourself available for a cross while your team-mate has the ball in a wide area – having made just 10 across the whole of the previous term. At the other end of the pitch, even with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba out injured, the Gunners remain solid at the back. Their win over Napoli made it three clean sheets from four and, across their past three games, they have conceded a total of 0.93 xG, which is the lowest in the division.