Top four possibilities for Arsenal
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Think back a few weeks and it was all doom and gloom for Arsenal. Despite having reached the FA Cup final, it appeared the top four and Champions League football was out of reach.
At every match was at least one banner calling for Arsene Wenger to resign and the Frenchman may yet step down at the end of the season. However, there is still a chance he could deliver a top four place and the FA Cup this season.
Arsenal’s opponents for this Tuesday night fixture are Sunderland, who were relegated from the Premier League some time ago.
The Black Cats have endured a terrible season under David Moyes and it remains to be seen if the Scot will be given the opportunity to try and get Sunderland promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Having suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of April, trends show May has been much kinder to Arsenal. The Gunners have won their last three matches in the Premier League, including a good 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have lost just two league matches at home all season, one against Liverpool in August and the other against Watford at the end of January. Therefore, Arsenal are difficult to beat at the Emirates and have won nine of their previous eleven Premier League games on their own ground.
Sunderland have nothing left to play for other than their pride and that did not get then very far against Swansea on Saturday. The 2-0 defeat at home to fellow relegation candidates was very poor and Sunderland are going to have to raise their game significantly if they are to take anything from this match.
Trends show Sunderland have won only four of their last twenty-five away Premier League games. Not only that but the Black Cats have won just three of their last twenty-three games in all competitions, which is a terrible record. Moyes’ players must seriously raise their game if they are to take anything from this match.
Looking at the team news and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez recovers in time from the knock which he suffered in the match at Stoke on the weekend. Lucas Perez has made a return to training but the striker is unlikely to feature in this game.
Sunderland lost Jason Denayer and Victor Anichebe in the defeat to Swansea and both will be struggling to make this game. Lee Cattermole is back in training but may not be risked in a match which means little in terms of league placing.
If Liverpool fail to defeat West Ham on Sunday, this match will have huge meaning for Arsenal. Even if Liverpool pick up maximum points, there will still be a chance Arsenal can move above them into the top four but the Gunners must win both their final games.
Therefore, expect Arsenal to be well up for this game and secure a comfortable victory against a demoralised Sunderland team.
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