With Arsenal rallying for the top 4 teams in the English Premier League, again this season, it is a must win match for the Gunners. With their ‘annual’ midseason scramble, it is necessary for the North Londoners to win these remaining two matches this season to have any chance of a top 4 finish. As a long stay in the top flight finally ends for Sunderland, they will go back to the Championship, as they are mathematically confirmed to finish in the relegation spot. This match against the gunners will be for the fans, as the players try to put in a good performance and defeat the gunners, to give the fans something to cheer about as they go down this season.
ARSENAL FC vs. SUNDERLAND AFC
3-Way: 1: ARSENAL FC -769; X: +1247 Draw; 2: SUNDERLAND AFC +3250
Spread -2.5: ARSENAL FC -108; SUNDERLAND AFC +104
Total +3.5: Over -123; Under +114
ARSENAL FC
With the season coming to a close, it’s all a feeling too similar for the Gunners. As they were hoping for a strong performance this season, and a title challenge, their January meltdown started again, when they were knocked out of European most prestige club competition, the UEFA Champions League, by Bayern Munich and then started giving unconvincing performances in the English Premier League.
With two wins in their last two matches, it might still not be enough for the Gunners to qualify for the Champions league, if their opponents above do not falter. With Arsene Wenger’s tenure under searing criticism again, it is vital for the Gunners to win their last two matches in the English Premier League and do their best to prevent the wrath of the fans.
As the Gunners sit at 5th position, they have accumulated 69 points this season, with 39 of them coming at home, suggesting poor away form. Their current record in the English Premier league over the last 5 matches still makes up for a good reading, i.e. 4-0-1. Their last two league matches have been very good away victories. A confident 2:0 victory at Southampton was followed by a 4:1 thumping of Stoke last time out. It remains to be seen whether they can keep it up for the last two matches, as one can never say for sure till when this Arsenal team might falter, such high is their level of inconsistency.
Even though the Gunners do have a lack of consistency to push for the title, but a striking strength of this team is their beautiful attacking play, which can dazzle opponents and fans alike. They have managed to score 72 goals, less than only 3 other teams in the league. 34 of those goals have come in front of the home crowd. Their defense is a decent back line.
But the Gunners do seem to lack concentration throughout the 90 minutes at times, and that’s something that has cost them this season in terms of top 4 finishing chances. The Gunners have conceded 43 goals in the league, only 15 of them being at home. Nevertheless, they still managed to keep 12 clean sheets, aided by the veteran keeper Petr Cech.
Their Chilean Forward Alexis Sanchez has been a very good performer for the team. He has managed 21 goals in the league, with only two players getting more. He also has the highest assists for the Gunners, with 10 to his name. Playmaker Ozil has also been instrumental this season, with 7 assists and 8 goals to his name. Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech has 11 clean sheets to his name, better only by 4 other players.
Arsenal have many injury concerns for this match. Santi Cazorla and Jeff Adelaide are both out for the season, while Oxlade-Chamberlain is a doubt till the FA cup final, with a hamstring Strain. Right back Debuchy, and Talisman Alexis Sanchez will both be monitored before the game to make a choice or the selection.
SUNDERLAND AFC
This has indeed been a sad season for the Sunderland AFC. The Black Cats have been the side that has been on the losing end of a match in the English Premier league for the most number of times. Even though it never managed to finish in the top half of the table in the past seasons, it was known for its ability to produce stunning vital results towards the end of the season to eliminate any possibility of relegation.
However, this season will be different; where the most touching thing about the club has been the situation of their 7 year old supporter Bradley Lowery, who has been terminally ill. Apart from that, all that the team can do now is try to get good results for the fans as they prepare for life in the second division.
Sitting at the rock bottom of the English Premier league table, the Black Cats have gathered just 24 points this season, with 14 of them coming at home. Their current league record over the last 5 matches is 1-1-3. Even though they managed to have a 2:0 victory against Hull City a week ago, it was too little, too late. They lost their next match to Swansea City, with the same score line. Coach David Moyes has not been able to inspire his side to good performances at all in the league.
Having scored the second least goals in the league always denotes towards a problematic season. The Black Cats have managed to score only 28 goals, with 16 of those coming at home. Their defense has been horrible, to say the least. Having conceded 62 goals in the league, only four other teams can be said to be below Sunderland. 34 of those goals have been conceded at the Stadium of Light. The team has managed to keep only 6 clean sheets.
With such a poor season, it is highly surprising to see Jermaine Defoe being one of the best goals corers in the league. The Veteran Englishman has notched up 15 goals for the season, which could very well be his last for Sunderland. The striker also has 2 assists to his name. Next to him is striker Anichebe, who has managed to notch only 3 goals in the league. These stats show that apart from Defoe, the team is totally devoid of any attacking threat.
The Black Cats also have a few injury woes, to compound on their misery. Midfielders Jan Kirchhoff, Patrick Mcnair and Duncan Watmore, are all out for the season. Attacker Anichebe (hamstring), and Jason Denaye (unknown) are major doubts for their match, as their fitness status is not yet confirmed.
ARSENAL FC vs. SUNDERLAND AFC MATCH PREDICTION
No matter how much one can try, it seems really difficult to see Sunderland gaining from this match. The Gunners are in better form, have better personnel, and are definitely a side playing way better football.
All this means that apart from the emotional connection to Bradely Lowery and his family, Sunderland will have absolutely nothing to cheer about in the match. However, we all are aware of the Nature of this league, and moreover, the nature of Arsenal’s inconsistency, which might give the Black Cats a tiny chance.
Either way, I expect plenty of goals on either side, which is why I am taking the over 3.5 goals offered at -123.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (-123)
