Friday, February 17, 2012

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18.02. (Sat) 18:15 Sunderland - Arsenal Preview

UEFA Champions - Arsenal FC vs Borussia Dortmund,Robin van Persie
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PROBABLE LINE-UPS
SUNDERLAND

Mignolet
Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Richardson
Larsson, Colback, Gardner, McClean
Sessegnon
Campbell
ARSENAL

Szczesney
Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, GibbsRamsey, Song, ArtetaWalcott, Van Persie, Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sunderland have no fresh injury worries coming into their FA Cup tie with Arsenal and so are likely to field an unchanged 11 from the last time out, which incidentally was against the Gunners in the Premier League.

Arsenal on the other hand have plenty to think about after their chastening defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday night. They will have to contend without defender Laurent Koscielny who picked up a knee injury in the loss.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be restored to the starting line-up having been left out against Milan, with Tomas Rosicky to start from the bench. Kieran Gibbs will continue his comeback from injury at left back.

Thierry Henry will no longer be available as his loan from New York Red Bulls expired on Thursday.


DID YOU KNOW?


  • Despite taking charge of one less game than Steve Bruce this season, Sunderland have scored eight more goals under Martin O’Neill.
  • The Black Cats have lost 11 games this season in all competitions, just three of which have come under O’Neill (pictured right).
  • Sunderland have scored just nine goals more than Robin van Persie has in all competitions this season.
  • Robin van Persie is the top scorer at Arsenal this season with 28 goals, with the next best - Theo Walcott - having scored six.
  • Arsenal gave conceded the same amount of goals away from home in the Premier League this season as Sunderland have both home and away.
  • The Gunners have only kept only two clean sheets since the turn of the year, one of which was in the FA Cup.
Prediction
Arsenal are likely to be scarred from their demoralising defeat at the hands of AC Milan and may find the going tough against Martin O’Neill’s confident Mackems.
The sides' meeting earlier this month is likely to have little bearing on this game and Sessegnon could prove the difference between the teams.
Editor's Prediction
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal