Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Saturday, September 14
10:00 a.m. EDT, 15:00 BST
- Match Officials
- Referee: Martin Atkinson
- Assistants: Richard West and Harry Lennard
- 4th Official: Kevin Friend
- This Match, Last Year: Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal
- All-Time in All Competitions: 55 Arsenal wins, 50 Sunderland wins, 39 draws
- Arsenal's League Form: W-W-W // L-W-W
- Sunderland's League Form: D-D-L // L-D-L
- Weather: Partly Cloudy, 13 C / 56 F
| Özil Özil Özil Özil. |
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Özil Özil Özil Özil Özil Özil Özil.
ÖZIL!
Arsenal Squad News
Out: Rosicky (thigh,) Podolski (hamstring,) Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee,) Arteta (thigh,) Vermaelen (back,) Diaby (knee)
Doubts: Sanogo (back)
For the record, that's the last I'll be using the umlauts for Ozil's name. If you're going to give me a hard time about it, then I expect you to use them across the board. That means Rosický, Szczęsny, and Fabiański. Didn't think so.
I don't see any reason why Mesut Ozil should not start tomorrow's game, considering he's match fit. It's not like he's coming in after missing a pre-season. Throw in the fact that Tomas Rosicky injured his thigh on international duty (because of course he did,) that's even more reason for Ozil to start.
Despite limping off the pitch during England's turgid 0-0 draw in Kiev, Theo Walcott is fit to start this weekend. The same goes for Jack Wilshere, who spent all weekend being kicked by opponents (I sense a running theme with him.)
There is word that Yaya Sanogo picked up a back injury with France's Under-21's, but I haven't heard anything further about that and Arsene Wenger only mentioned Rosicky as a casualty from the international break, so let's just put Sanogo in the "doubts" category, shall we?
As for the long term injured: Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta are the closest two to returning. It'll be much longer for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, and (heh) Abou Diaby.
Predicted XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud.
Out: Rosicky (thigh,) Podolski (hamstring,) Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee,) Arteta (thigh,) Vermaelen (back,) Diaby (knee)
Doubts: Sanogo (back)
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| Our striking depth will be fine! We found this homeless guy sleeping at the training ground! |
I don't see any reason why Mesut Ozil should not start tomorrow's game, considering he's match fit. It's not like he's coming in after missing a pre-season. Throw in the fact that Tomas Rosicky injured his thigh on international duty (because of course he did,) that's even more reason for Ozil to start.
Despite limping off the pitch during England's turgid 0-0 draw in Kiev, Theo Walcott is fit to start this weekend. The same goes for Jack Wilshere, who spent all weekend being kicked by opponents (I sense a running theme with him.)
There is word that Yaya Sanogo picked up a back injury with France's Under-21's, but I haven't heard anything further about that and Arsene Wenger only mentioned Rosicky as a casualty from the international break, so let's just put Sanogo in the "doubts" category, shall we?
As for the long term injured: Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta are the closest two to returning. It'll be much longer for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, and (heh) Abou Diaby.
Predicted XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud.
Sunderland Squad News
Out: Cattermole (knee,) Brown (knee)
Doubts: Wickham (knock,) Gardner (groin,) Bardsley (ankle)
Suspended: O'Shea (one match)
Captain John O'Shea picked up an ankle injury on international duty and a Daily Mail article suggests that he's a serious doubt for the weekend. This would be good information if it didn't ignore the fact that he'll be serving a one match ban anyway for the red card he picked up against Crystal Palace in Sunderland's last outing.
It does not appear that Sunderland picked up any other new injury problems during the break. American Jozy Altidore returned from a hamstring problem and came on as a sub in Costa Rica, only to pick up a foolish yellow card and serve an accumulation ban against Mexico on Tuesday night. He should be available for selection.
Lee Cattermole and Wes Brown, both with knee injuries, are back training with the first team but are expected to be short for the weekend. In terms of doubts, Sunderland could be without Conor Wickham (knock,) Craig Gardner (groin,) and Phil Bardsley (ankle.)
Out: Cattermole (knee,) Brown (knee)
Doubts: Wickham (knock,) Gardner (groin,) Bardsley (ankle)
Suspended: O'Shea (one match)
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| I have nothing funny to add to this Lee Cattermole photo. |
It does not appear that Sunderland picked up any other new injury problems during the break. American Jozy Altidore returned from a hamstring problem and came on as a sub in Costa Rica, only to pick up a foolish yellow card and serve an accumulation ban against Mexico on Tuesday night. He should be available for selection.
Lee Cattermole and Wes Brown, both with knee injuries, are back training with the first team but are expected to be short for the weekend. In terms of doubts, Sunderland could be without Conor Wickham (knock,) Craig Gardner (groin,) and Phil Bardsley (ankle.)
Current Form
After the season opening loss to Aston Villa, hopefully just a blip on the radar screen, Arsenal have won four straight across all competitions, conceding just once in the process (to Darren Bent, of course, because Darren Bent always scores against Arsenal; see the last paragraph of Match Facts below.) Add this to the streak at the end of last season and the loss to Villa is Arsenal's only loss over their last 16 matches. Arsenal have also managed eight consecutive road victories since the loss to Spurs in March, which is no small accomplishment.
As for Sunderland, well, they've seen better days. Last year, the Black Cats finished just above the relegation line, three points clear of Wigan. Consecutive April wins over Newcastle and Everton are Sunderland's only league wins over their last 18 matches (2 wins, 6 draws, 10 losses.) This season, they have lost 1-0 to Fulham, drawn 1-1 with Southampton, and lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace (a scoreline largely caused by and exacerbated by John O'Shea's red card.)
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| This penalty condemned Sunderland to a second league defeat in three games to open the season. |
As for Sunderland, well, they've seen better days. Last year, the Black Cats finished just above the relegation line, three points clear of Wigan. Consecutive April wins over Newcastle and Everton are Sunderland's only league wins over their last 18 matches (2 wins, 6 draws, 10 losses.) This season, they have lost 1-0 to Fulham, drawn 1-1 with Southampton, and lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace (a scoreline largely caused by and exacerbated by John O'Shea's red card.)
Match Facts
The Stadium of Light has never been a kind place to play for Arsenal, though the Gunners have won their last two league fixtures there. It's never easy, though. Last season, Santi Cazorla's first half goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 advantage which they held on to, despite Carl Jenkinson's red card, a very nervous final half an hour, and Aaron Ramsey: Right Back. The year before that, it was Per Mertesacker's injury leading to Sunderland's opener, Aaron Ramsey's equalizer, and Thierry Henry's injury time winner.
In between those two wins, Arsenal crashed out of the 2012 FA Cup at the Stadium of Light, falling 2-0 after a tepid performance from the B-team. That still wasn't nearly as bad as crashing out of the 2013 FA Cup at home to second division Blackburn (or the Bradford City thing...)
Prior to the aforementioned three matches, Arsenal went winless in three at Sunderland. They drew 1-1 in September of 2010 (Darren Bent scoring a 95th minute equalizer after Alex Song had been sent off by Phil Dowd and Tomas Rosicky missed a penalty,) lost 1-0 in November of 2009 (Darren Bent had that goal, too,) and drew 1-1 in October of 2008 (Cesc Fabregas had the injury time equalizer after Grant Leadbitter scored in the 86th.)
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| I do recall this being an odd way to celebrate a victory... |
In between those two wins, Arsenal crashed out of the 2012 FA Cup at the Stadium of Light, falling 2-0 after a tepid performance from the B-team. That still wasn't nearly as bad as crashing out of the 2013 FA Cup at home to second division Blackburn (or the Bradford City thing...)
Prior to the aforementioned three matches, Arsenal went winless in three at Sunderland. They drew 1-1 in September of 2010 (Darren Bent scoring a 95th minute equalizer after Alex Song had been sent off by Phil Dowd and Tomas Rosicky missed a penalty,) lost 1-0 in November of 2009 (Darren Bent had that goal, too,) and drew 1-1 in October of 2008 (Cesc Fabregas had the injury time equalizer after Grant Leadbitter scored in the 86th.)
The Referee
The referee is West Yorkshire-based Martin Atkinson. Arsenal saw Atkinson for both of their matches with Chelsea last season, both 2-1 losses, as well as the 2-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates in February. You'll recall Atkinson made two critical judgment calls that led directly to Chelsea's early 2-0 lead in that January match at the Bridge (missing a foul in the build-up to the first and calling a penalty for the second.) Arsenal won two of three matches with Atkinson the year prior.
Sunderland saw Atkinson three times last year as well, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, a 1-1 draw in their derby with Newcastle, and a 2-1 loss to Tottenham, all at the Stadium of Light. The 1-1 North East derby draw with Newcastle was the only match last year in which Atkinson showed a red card, to Cheick Tiote. It still took Sunderland until a Demba Ba 85th minute own goal to get on the board, after conceding to Yohan Cabaye in the 3rd.
| Remember this at the Emirates? Good times... |
Sunderland saw Atkinson three times last year as well, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, a 1-1 draw in their derby with Newcastle, and a 2-1 loss to Tottenham, all at the Stadium of Light. The 1-1 North East derby draw with Newcastle was the only match last year in which Atkinson showed a red card, to Cheick Tiote. It still took Sunderland until a Demba Ba 85th minute own goal to get on the board, after conceding to Yohan Cabaye in the 3rd.
Around the League
- Saturday (early): Manchester United v. Crystal Palace; Old Trafford, Manchester
- Saturday: Aston Villa v. Newcastle United; Villa Park, Birmingham
- Saturday: Fulham v. West Bromwich Albion; Craven Cottage, London
- Saturday: Hull City v. Cardiff City; Kingston Communications Stadium, Kingston upon Hull
- Saturday: Stoke City v. Manchester City; Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
- Saturday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Norwich City; White Hart Lane, London
- Saturday (late): Everton v. Chelsea; Goodison Park, Liverpool
- Sunday (late): Southampton v. West Ham United; St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
- Monday (night): Swansea City v. Liverpool; Liberty Stadium, Swansea
