Arsenal clash set to bring more bad luck for Black Cats

For some crossing the path of a black cat is bad luck, but for Sunderland being Black Cats seems to be bad luck as well. Perennial relegation battles and constant changes of managers have not helped.

On Saturday lunchtime the side from the north east face an Arsenal team that looks determined to mount a serious title challenge this season. The clash at the Stadium of Light comes after Sunderland were defeated 1-0 at Southampton in the EFL Cup.

David Moyes side are rock-bottom of the Premier League, having failed to win any of their top-flight games this season. In contrast, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are second in the table and only trail leaders Manchester City on goal difference.

This could be another long afternoon for the struggling Black Cats. Already boss David Moyes looks to be edging towards the Stadium of Light exit. A few weeks after his arrival the Scot declared the Black Cats would be in a relegation scrap.

Some fans were dismayed, but from their recent performances the former Everton boss was only giving an honest assessment of the team’s situation. It seems unlikely that the Black Cats situation will improve against this weekend’s visitors.

Arsenal heads to the north east on the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over Championship in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night. That win was achieved without a number of key players including Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.

All three have been in good form of late and will be well rested for this clash. It is worth noting that the Gunners failed to find a way past Middlesbrough in their last Premier League outing.

For Sunderland to get anything from this clash they will need the Gunners to put in a similarly ineffective display in front of goal. Unfortunately for Moyes and the Black Cats that looks highly unlikely to happen and their position in the top-flight table by the end of the weekend could look even grimmer.