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Arsenal might just have entered the title race after the high-profile signing of Mesut Ozil. Wenger was criticized in the last years for not breaking the bank on big name transfers, but he really did it now and the gunners welcome one of the best players in the world on Emirates. But even without Ozil, Arsenal has been great so far this season. The visitors opened up their campaign with an ugly 1-3 home loss against Aston Villa, but proceeded to win their next 4 matches in all competitions, including 2 solid wins in the Premiership against Fulham and Aston Villa. The team lookes really cohesive, with an excellent display up-front and a decent defense, despite the absence of main centre-back Vermaalen.
Sunderland started the season in horrible fashion, winning just one point in three games and playing really, really bad. They got beaten 3-1 by the worst team in the league last round (Crystal Palace). The hosts don`t have such a bad squad, they could get something close to a mid-table finish with the talent they have, but they are playing extremely poor and there are no signs of improvement. And they are far from being good enough to win games when playing bad, especially not against Arsenal. Sunderland conceded goals in all their matches this season (all competitions), while the gunners are yet to be held scoreless.
Team news
The hosts will not be able to count on Bardsley, Brown, Cattermole and O’Shea, but they will welcome new-boy Borini in the starting eleven. For Arsenal the big news is of course the debut of Ozil, who is sure to feature today, most probably as a starter. Arsenal misses a bunch of players for this one: Rosicky, Sanogo, Vermaalen, Arteta, Oxlade Chamberlain and Diaby.
Sunderland (4-4-2): Westwood – Celustka, Roberge, Diakité, Colback – Johnson, Cabral, Larson, Giaccherini – Altidore, Borini
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny – Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs – Ramsey, Wilshere – Walcott, Özil, Cazorla – Giroud.
Arsenal can count on their form, the debut of Ozil and the rejuvenated Giroud, who scored in all of Arsenal`s Premier League matches this season. Of course, quality is also on their side by a sensible margin. The starting lineup looks fantastic for Wenger`s side and with their enthusiasm given by their good run they should be able to put at least 2 goals by a disastrous Sunderland side. On the other hand it`s true that with all the injuries, Wenger does not have many options on the bench, so the hosts may just be able to score once in the second half. But overall there is no logical reason for the visitors not to win this. All in all, this bet is more against Sunderland than on Arsenal, though the gunners look really good at the moment. Pick the visitors to win this one, something like 1-2 or 1-3 would be a probable result.
Pick: Arsenal
Odds: 1.70 @ William Hill
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 6.30
Event date: 14 September
Editor Facts
- Rostick is only 1 for 5 in the Premier League this season
