Preview: Sunderland vs Arsenal

Mesut Ozil could make his Arsenal debut

Arsenal take on Sunderland on Saturday in their fourth game of the Premier League season at the Stadium of Light and the match is already a source of huge buzz among Gunner fans. The match can be the debut match for Arsenal’s record transfer Mesut Ozil who is already a huge hit among the supporters and also the Premier League fraternity. This will also be a test for both the clubs as the players will be coming back from their International duties and fatigue will be a serious concern for both managers.

This will be a major test for Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland as they will be trying to forget their loss against newly promoted side Crystal Palace. Di Canio made his emotions clear about his side’s loss in their last match and will be hoping for a much better performance from them. Di Canio made as many as fourteen new additions to his team in the recently concluded summer transfer window and will be under a lot of pressure from the board after managing just one draw from their first three games of the season. Fabio Borini is expected to make his debut for the club after joining them from Liverpool on deadline day. New recruit Steven Fletcher is also a favourite to start the match against the Gunners as Paolo Di Canio will like to strengthen his midfield and also his attack. Sunderland will be missing the services of defenders Phil Bardrsley due to a foot injury and John O’Shea due to suspension.

Arsene Wenger will be in a spot of bother because of the growing list of injuries in his Arsenal squad. The newest additions to the list are Czech international Thomas Rosicky (knee injury) and Yaya Sanogo (back injury). But the absence of Rosicky can result into the first start for their £42.5m signing Mesut Ozil who will be looking forward to start his campaign as a Gunner. The debut of the German playmaker is highly anticipated and it will be a treat for the supporters to see him play in Arsenal colours. The injury to Yaya Sanogo will also mean that Arsenal will go into the match with only one central striker Olivier Giroud as Lukas Podolski is also out of the action for nine weeks because of a hamstring injury. But Arsenal will be confident after winning both of their matches after the first day loss to Aston Villa with success in the transfer market further strengthening their spirits.

History is on Arsenal’s side in this encounter as Sunderland have only defeated the Gunners three times among the twenty four times these teams have met in the Premier League. Current form also suggests that the Gunners will be favourites to win this encounter, but we never know what happens in football. So, the football community waits anxiously for this match to know the winner and also to hopefully witness the debut of Mesut Ozil as a Gunner.