Arsenal vs Sunderland: Pain In The Arsenal Predictions

Arsenal are facing another dicey matchup. Dicey in that absolutely anything could happen. Here are the predictions from the Pain in the Arsenal staff.

Arsenal did not beat Norwich City. That was rough. We have quite the wide array of predictions today, from three goal cushions to losses.

Andy: Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland

This is not going to plan whatsoever. Injuries, loss of form. Not much is going right for Arsenal at this moment in time. Thankfully, the Gunners face one of the worst sides in the Premier League right now in Sunderland. While their new manager in Sam Allardyce is extremely experienced in and around the confines of the league, and is excellent at setting up a team to defend for 90 minutes, I still expect Arsenal to break down the Black Cats.

Although Santi Cazorla’s injury is unfortunate, it will hopefully give us the opportunity to see Aaron Ramsey finally played in his best position. The lack of Alexis Sanchez and Francis Coquelin is a major blow, but there is a possibility that Theo Walcott is not too far off. If Theo and Chamberlain can get fit and stay fit, Giroud flanked by the two English wingers is a potent combination. Furthermore, the best player in the league right now is still at Wenger’s disposal. Expect Ozil to see a lot of the ball and be the key in breaking down a stout Sunderland defense.

Finn: Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

Arsenal are currently on their biggest slide of the season. Sunderland have also started to pick up their standard of play after the appointment of Sam Allardyce. However, past match-ups between the Gunners and Black Cats at the Emirates have repeatedly ended in Arsenal wins.

Even though the Arsenal injury list lengthens from one minute to the next, their main men – Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud -should be enough to guide them past Sunderland.

Extra: Watch out for Aaron Ramsey’s grand return. Against a poor side, the Welsh wizard could be played in his favored position of central midfield and be given a great chance to stake his claim for a permanent first-team spot.

Nasra: Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland

Coming off a November of dismal results, Arsenal will be looking to take maximum points off of Sunderland at the Emirates on Saturday. Draws against Norwich and Tottenham and a loss against West Brom saw the North Londoners slip up in the title race. It will not be any easier for them against the Black Cats, who have been revitalized under new manager Sam Allardyce. It will be tough for Arsenal to get a result against them, given the amount of injuries to key players like Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez. I expect this makeshift Arsenal squad to battle to a draw on Saturday.

Jabari: Arsenal 4-2 Sunderland

If Arsenal wasn’t desperate before, they certainly are now. The squad is balancing on a razor’s edge, and we need a win here to boost confidence. With Rambo returning to the center of midfield, I believe the Gunners will play with a new found impetus. I predict that match will be an end to end shoot out, with plenty of goals. I’m going with a 4-2 win for Arsenal. In this game we will see the best and the worst Arsenal have to offer.

Nate: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland

I know my faith in Arsenal keeps killing me in the predictions here, but once again… 2-0. Even with some players rested (hopefully) for our trip to Greece on Wednesday we should still have enough to see off the Black Cats at home.

Josh: Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland

Arsenal is going to score and it is hard to imagine that they will fall under too much pressure. But again, I am basing my judgment off of Arsenal at their best. There is no guarantee that Arsenal will be at their best.

Next: Pull The Plug On The Gnabry Loan!

All that being said, Ramsey, Ozil and Giroud will all score.

Brian: Arsenal 1-2 Sunderland

Thomas: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland

Arsenal will come out strong against Sunderland at the Emirates. The Gunners will score early in the first half and midway through the second, then finish the game shakily in defense. Cech won’t let any shots by him, though, and Arsenal will win 2-0 at home. Campbell and the Ox will be the two surprise goal scorers.

Max: Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland

I just can’t do it anymore… I just can’t predict that the Gunners are going to get the much desired three points, because every time I predict that they will do this against a seemingly inferior opponent, they somehow manage to completely frustrate and find a way to lose or draw (see every Premier League game within the last month).

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Oh yeah, and let’s not forget that two of our most prominent players are out for an extended amount of time, as Alexis Sanchez suffered a hamstring injury last weekend against Norwich and will likely be out for 3-4 week. While Santi Cazorla will be out (possibly until March nonetheless) with a rupture of the lateral collateral knee ligament. Delightful…

Anyway, I’d rather predict a draw, and sacrifice my position in the Pain In the Arsenal Pundits Table for three precious points for the Gooners, instead of predicting them to win (even if the odds are in their favor) and then having to watch them fall flat on their face again with a putrid loss or draw.

At least if I predict a draw, I do manage to get something out of it if the game does actually manage to end in a tie (ugh, I hate that word).

Just whatever you do Gunners, please don’t lose…

Arsenal vs Sunderland: Predictions

By Josh Sippie | Dec 5, 2015