Sunderland vs Arsenal Prediction: Gunners’ clean sheet to come to an end?

Arsenal face a test of their title credentials when they visit surprise package Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday (17:30, live on Sky Sports Main Event).

Below you can find my Sunderland vs Arsenal predictions, alongside the latest team news and match odds for this Premier League clash.

Team News

Sunderland will check on defender Omar Alderete following concussion, while Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles) and Habib Diarra (groin), all remain absent.

Viktor Gyokeres suffered a muscular injury against Burnley and joins other key men Gabriel Martinelli (muscle), Noni Madueke (knee), Kai Havertz (knee), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Martin Odegaard (knee) on the sidelines for the Gunners.

Martin Zubimendi is expected to shake off a knock to be fit and Mikel Merino is in line to play as an unorthodox centre-forward again after he did well there on Tuesday against Slavia Prague, scoring twice.

Sunderland vs Arsenal Odds

Premier League leaders Arsenal are 2/5 at Betfred to claim another three points at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. They're 10/11 to win to nil, extending their run of clean sheets in all competitions to nine.

Sunderland, who remain in the top four after a stunning start to their first season back in the big time, can be backed at 17/2 - while the draw is an 18/5 shot.

Arsenal to win & both teams to score @ 11/4

Arsenal's brilliant run of form has been built on a wonderful watertight defence and they are allowing opponents very few chances while controlling matches.

The Gunners are so well-drilled at the back but they are also a fantastic all-round team and, despite some injuries, have still been potent enough in attack to win the majority of their games comfortably.

However, they will have to concede a goal sooner or later and Saturday could finally be the day their defence is breached.

Sunderland's home form has been impressive on their return to the top flight - the Black Cats are yet to lose at the Stadium of Light this season - but this is by far the stiffest test they have faced.

Regis Le Bris' side have scored nine times in total at home, scoring in all five fixtures when beating West Ham, Brentford and Wolves and picking up draws against Aston Villa and Everton.

Anything other than an away win looks highly unlikely but Sunderland can at least get on the scoresheet in defeat to end the Gunners' proud clean sheet run.

Leandro Trossard to score anytime @ 12/5

Leandro Trossard has caught the eye for Arsenal this season, with the Belgium international enjoying more minutes on the pitch due to injuries to the likes of Martinelli, Havertz and Jesus.

The former Brighton man has scored just three goals in all competitions but was the matchwinner at Fulham last month and has registered assists in his last two appearances against Burnley and, on Tuesday, in the Champions League win at Slavia Prague.

In those two games, Trossard had five shots in total, two of which were on target and if he gets a decent opportunity on Saturday he may well take it.

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