Sunderland vs Arsenal: Premier League Prediction & Preview (Gameweek 11)

Sunderland vs Arsenal headlines Saturday's late kick-off as title-chasing Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light.The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table with a perfect five-match winning streak, while newly-promoted Sunderland AFC look to upset the odds on home turf in this Gameweek 11 clash.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Sunderland AFC vs Arsenal FC
• Competition: Premier League (Gameweek 11, 2025/26 Season)
• Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Date: Saturday, November 18, 2025
• Kick-Off: 5:30 PM BST (20:30 EAT)

Sunderland vs Arsenal Preview: 

This Sunderland vs Arsenal fixture represents a classic Premier League narrative.Mikel Arteta's side has won 24 of their last 25 matches against promoted teams, showcasing their dominance.Over the weekend Arsenal secured 2-0 victory over Burnley thanks to another set-piece goal by Gyokeres and clinicall finish by in-form Declan Rice making it 5 consecutive Premier League wins. During  midweek, Mikel Merino showcased his clinical finishing once again completing a brace as Arsenal defeated Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Uefa Champions League.  The results meant Arsenal have kept impressive 8 consecutive cleansheets equalling a club record that has stood for more than 100 years.

Mikel Arteta was proud of the run, and this is what he had to say

We want more, We can still improve and do things better. That’s the right mindset to have, and we’re happy with what we’re doing. But I’m not satisfied at all, we can play better, defend better, and today we should have done some things better in the opposition half.

However, the Black Cats secured a gritty draw against Everton in Gameweek 10, Sunderland are still unbeaten at home after five Premier League fixtures at the Stadium of Light, proving that Sunderland have made their ground a fortress. Sunderland are currently performing above expectations as they current lie 4th in the table with 18 Points after 10 games. Granit Xhaka who spent seven years with the Gunners, lifting two FA Cups and two Community Shields had this to say ahead of reunion

"No one before the season thought we would be where we are, but to me it’s not surprising. If you see this team and how everyone works day by day – how demanding we are and the mentality – these are the standards every day here. How you train is how you play. That’s what I believe. We deserve to be where we are.”

 A win against London outfits Chelsea, Brentford, Westham and barren draw against Palace will be motivating factor for the balck cats.The atmosphere will be electric as Sunderland chase a memorable upset, but Arsenal's title credentials face a stern examination against stubborn opposition.

Premier League Standings: The Gap in Quality

Arsenal FC leads the Premier League table with commanding authority, while Sunderland sit surprisingly in the top four. The 7-point gap illustrates the magnitude of the challenge facing the home side.

Sunderland vs Arsenal Form Analysis

Sunderland Recent Form (Last 5 Games): W-L-W-W-D

• Overall PPG: 1.57
• Home PPG: 2.33 (formidable)
• Away PPG: 0.67

Arsenal Recent Form (Last 5 Games): W-W-W-W-W

• Overall PPG: 2.71
• Home PPG: 3.00
• Away PPG: 2.40

Sunderland's home form (2.33 PPG) demonstrates their competitiveness at the Stadium of Light. Meanwhile, Arsenal's defensive record is exceptional, they've conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League and allowed under 0.6 xGA in four of five away fixtures.

Head-to-Head Record: Arsenal's Historical Dominance

Arsenal has dominated recent encounters, winning three of the last five Premier League meetings with two barren draws. The Gunners have also won five of the last six head-to-head fixtures by two or more goals.

Last Meeting: Arsenal 5-1 Sunderland (December 2021/22 EFL Cup, Emirates Stadium)

Sunderland vs Arsenal Team News & Injuries

Sunderland Injury Report

• Aji Alese: Shoulder Injury - Ruled Out
• Dennis Cirkin: wrist - Ruled Out
• Romaine Mundle -Hamstring
• Habib Diarra -Groin
• Omar Alderete -Concussion - expected to return
• Leo Fuhr Hjelde -Achilles

The Black Cats have a relatively healthy squad with a stable starting XI now battle-hardened by Premier League competition.

Arsenal Injury Crisis

• Gabriel Jesus: Long-term Knee Injury - Ruled Out until 2026
• Noni Madueke: Knee - Ruled Out
• Martin Odegaard: Knee - Ruled Out
• Kai Havertz: Knee - Ruled Out
• Gabriel Martinelli: Knock- to be assessed
• Viktor Gyokeres: Muscle - late assessment
• Martin Zubimendi - muscular -trained with team ahead of Slavia Prague 

Despite missing Gabriel Jesus and Odegaard, Arsenal's core remains strong with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba all fit and expected to start.

Tactical Breakdown: Sunderland vs Arsenal

Sunderland: Defensive Counter-Attack (5-4-1)

The Black Cats will deploy a deep, compact 5-2-3 formation focusing on:

• Protecting central areas to frustrate Arsenal's passing game
• Quick vertical transitions through wing-backs
• Maximizing set-piece opportunities
• Hitting hard on the Counter

Key Players:

• Roefs (Goalkeeper)
• Xhaka(Midfield anchor)
• Isidor (Pace on the counter)

Arsenal: Controlled Possession (4-2-3-1)

Mikel Arteta will maintain his fluid 4-2-3-1 system demanding:

• 70%+ possession dominance to break down the low block
• Declan Rice's midfield control and Bukayo Saka's wide threat
• Eze and Trossard finding pockets between the lines

Key Players:

• Declan Rice (Midfield orchestrator)
• Bukayo Saka (Attacking threat)
• William Saliba (Defensive stability)

Probable Starting Line-ups

Sunderland (5-4-1)

GK: Roefs
DEF: Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo
MID: Xhaka, Sadiki
FWD: Traore, Isidor, Le Fee

Arsenal (4-3-3)

GK: Raya
DEF: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel,Calafiori
MID: Zubimendi, Rice, Eze
FWD: Saka, Merino, Trossard

Sunderland vs Arsenal Final Score Prediction

While Sunderland's home form (2.33 PPG) is admirable and the Stadium of Light atmosphere will be intense, Arsenal's current form, technical superiority, and defensive solidity are overwhelming.

The Gunners have proven they can patiently dismantle resolute defenses. Expect Arsenal to dominate possession and break through a tired Black Cats defense in the second half.

Final Score Prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

Sunderland vs Arsenal Betting Tips

• Arsenal to win to nil (High probability)
• Arsenal -1 Asian Handicap (Value bet)
• Bukayo Saka anytime goalscorer (Form player)

Why This Premier League Match Matters

For Arsenal:

A victory is non-negotiable to maintain their early-season lead and send a psychological message in the Premier League title race. It tests their maturity against stubborn opposition.

For Sunderland:

This represents a 'free hit' fixture. Even a narrow defeat would be respectable, but an upset or draw would provide monumental momentum for their Premier League survival campaign.

Where to Watch Sunderland vs Arsenal Live

Check your local listings:

• UK: Sky Sports Premier League
• USA: NBC, Peacock Premium
• Worldwide: Official Premier League streaming partners

Match Preview Summary

Arsenal enters as overwhelming favourites in this Sunderland vs Arsenal Premier League clash. While Sunderland's impressive home form will keep the contest competitive early, the superior class and defensive structure of Mikel Arteta's title-chasing side should ultimately prevail, securing a professional away victory at the Stadium of Light.