On February 7, 2026, a classic Premier League encounter unfolds at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal, a team with title aspirations, welcomes a resurgent Sunderland side aiming to solidify their position in the top half of the table.
This match is more than a simple fixture; it’s a meeting between a historical power and a determined challenger, each carrying distinct momentum and motivation.
For the Gunners, it’s another step in their pursuit of domestic glory, while for the Black Cats, it’s an opportunity to test their progress against elite opposition and continue their impressive home form on the road.
Head-to-head record
The historical record between these two clubs heavily favors Arsenal, demonstrating their long-standing dominance. Across all competitions since 1996, the two teams have met 37 times.
Arsenal have been victorious in 22 of those clashes, while Sunderland have managed only 4 wins, with the remaining 11 matches ending in draws. This trend is even more pronounced at Arsenal’s home ground, where they have won 13 out of 18 encounters without a single loss to Sunderland.
Their most recent meetings, however, show Sunderland can be a tricky opponent. In their last Premier League clash in November 2025, Sunderland secured a memorable 1-0 victory at home. Before that, in a 2021 EFL Cup tie, Arsenal emerged with a narrow 2-1 win.
This history suggests that while Arsenal are the clear favorites on paper, Sunderland have recently shown the capability to pull off a surprise.
Team news and tactical outlook
Manager Mikel Arteta has a nearly full squad at his disposal, allowing for tactical flexibility. Key players like captain Martin Ødegaard, who was rested for a recent cup semi-final, are expected to return to the starting lineup.
The main fitness concern is winger Bukayo Saka, who missed the last league game with a “little niggle”. His potential replacement could be Noni Madueke, who stepped in and performed well against Leeds United.
In goal, David Raya is likely to return for the league fixture after Kepa Arrizabalaga featured in the cup.
Arsenal’s strength lies in their balanced system and the formidable midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, which provides both defensive solidity and creative distribution.
Sunderland’s preparations are hampered by a significant long-term absence. Their captain and midfield linchpin, Granit Xhaka, remains sidelined with an ankle injury and is expected to miss at least the next few weeks.
Manager Régis Le Bris has adapted his system to cope, often deploying a 4-3-3 formation that relies on the industry of Noah Sadiki and the versatility of Habib Diarra to fill the void. The return of Diarra has been a boost; against Burnley, he demonstrated his value by making late runs into the box and contributing to the attack.
The attacking threat will be led by striker Brian Brobbey, who is in excellent form with three goals in his last four games. Sunderland’s primary tactical identity this season has been built on strong positional organization and the ability to switch quickly from a defensive block to a direct counter-attack.
Predicted lineups:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Ødegaard, Rice; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
Sunderland (4-3-3): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Cirkin; Diarra, Sadiki, Le Fée; Hume, Brobbey, Talbi.
Match prediction and key insights
Given the historical data, current form, and home advantage, Arsenal are the overwhelming favorites to win this match. Their quality and depth, especially in midfield, should allow them to control the tempo and create more scoring opportunities.
Sunderland’s resilience, particularly in defense, should not be underestimated, they have not lost a single league game at home this season. However, replicating that fortitude away at the Emirates is a much sterner challenge.
The key battle will be in midfield, where Arsenal’s technical prowess will test Sunderland’s makeshift unit. If the Black Cats can remain compact and disciplined, they might frustrate the hosts for periods.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s individual quality is likely to prove decisive. A controlled 2-0 victory for Arsenal is a probable outcome, with the Gunners scoring once in each half to secure the points.
Betting tips and strategic view
Based on the available information and predicted flow of the game, several betting angles appear logical:
Match result: An Arsenal win is the most probable outcome and forms the cornerstone of any betting strategy for this fixture.
Total goals: Considering Arsenal’s attacking power and Sunderland’s potential to sit deep, betting on Under 3.5 total goals could be a sensible option. Many of Arsenal’s controlled victories and Sunderland’s disciplined performances have not been high-scoring affairs.
Anytime goalscorer: For Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus or Gabriel Martinelli are strong candidates to find the net. For Sunderland, Brian Brobbey is the most likely threat, with a noted tendency to score in the latter stages of games.
As the lights shine on the Emirates this weekend, Arsenal will be expected to reaffirm their historical dominance.
For Sunderland, the match represents a benchmark, a chance to measure their growth and perhaps spring one of the surprises that make the Premier League so compelling.