Preview: Arsenal vs. Sunderland

Arsenal will try to put their Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich behind them for their Premier League match against Sunderland on Saturday.

The Gunners head into the weekend just a point behind league leaders Chelsea, while Sunderland sit in the relegation zone.

Arsene Wenger will still be without Thomas Vermaelen and Aaron Ramsey, who are both expected back next month, while Kieran Gibbs is also a doubt after limping out of their Champions League match last night.

Arsenal have not won in their last two top-flight outings, but have lost just once at the Emirates Stadium in the league this season.

The visitors have been boosted by news that Steven Fletcher is close to his return from the Achilles injury which has kept him out for the last three weeks, and could feature on Saturday.

Carlos Cuellar is also nearing full fitness following a three-month absence with a hip problem, but will be held out for another week.

Despite sitting 18th in the table, Gus Poyet's Black Cats have been in strong form recently, having lost just once in their last six matches.

When they played at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season, Arsenal clinched a 3-1 victory.

Recent form

Arsenal: DWLDWL

Sunderland: DWWWLW

Possible starting lineups

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky, Ozil, Giroud, Sanogo

Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, Dossena, Bridcutt, O'Shea, Brown, Ki, Colback, Johnson, Borini, Fletcher

Sports Mole says: 2-1