Sunderland vs Arsenal: Match preview and team news
By Joel Masibo, September 12, 2026Arsenal will look to maintain their perfect start to the 2026/27 Premier League season when they travel to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening, September 12, 2026.
The reigning champions have won all three of their league matches so far and arrive on Wearside after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Sunderland, meanwhile, will enter the contest with confidence after beating Hull City 1-0 in the League Cup during the week. Regis Le Bris’s team have also avoided defeat in their last three matches across all competitions.
Arsenal targeting another perfect start
Arsenal’s early-season form has been impressive, particularly in defence. The Gunners have conceded only once in each of their competitive matches so far, including the Community Shield, while their three Premier League victories have put them among the early pace-setters.
Their most recent league outing saw them come from behind to defeat Chelsea, with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard helping Mikel Arteta’s side overturn Morgan Rogers’s early goal.
The victory gave Arsenal three wins from their opening three league fixtures, a feat they have achieved only once previously in the past 22 years.
A victory over Sunderland would see them begin a league campaign with four consecutive victories for only the sixth time in the club’s history. Their last such start came during the 2022/23 season.
Arsenal have also been particularly difficult to break down. They have allowed only six opposition efforts on target in the Premier League, while their expected goals against figure stands at just 0.93.
Sunderland have been even harder to test in terms of shots on target, having conceded only five so far.
The Black Cats have nevertheless made a respectable return to the top flight. After losing their opening league game, they collected three points against Fulham before drawing 1-1 away to Brentford.
Le Bris’s men then progressed in the League Cup by edging past Hull, with Chemsdine Talbi scoring the decisive goal.
That result extended Sunderland’s unbeaten sequence to three matches in all competitions.
The hosts will also have one eye on next week’s Europa League campaign, with AZ Alkmaar due to visit the Stadium of Light on September 16.
Sunderland’s recent meeting with Arsenal produced a memorable 2-2 draw last season, but Arsenal responded emphatically in February by winning 3-0 at home.
The Gunners have now gone 17 Premier League matches without losing to Sunderland, with their last defeat against the Black Cats coming in 2009 when Darren Bent scored the winner.
Team news
Arsenal are expected to rotate their squad after Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Naples.
Cristhian Mosquera, who is recovering from a muscle problem, and Jurrien Timber, who has a groin issue, remain doubts. William Saliba continues to be sidelined with a back injury.
Arteta is expected to bring several regular starters back into the side, with Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori among those in contention to return.
Tzolis has already contributed four assists in his first five appearances for Arsenal, although he is still searching for his first goal for the club.
Sunderland have no major fresh injury concerns following their recent matches.
However, Habib Diarra is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury against Fulham. He is expected to be unavailable for between six and eight weeks.
Romaine Mundle is another absentee and is unlikely to play again before the end of 2026 after undergoing knee surgery.
Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana are therefore likely to continue competing for places on the wings.
Fofana played 79 minutes in the League Cup victory over Hull and could now be handed his first Premier League start for Sunderland.
Brian Brobbey is also expected to return to the attack after Wilson Isidor was selected to lead the line against Hull.
Possible lineups
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.