Arsenal win all but certain if forgotten man handed first Premier League start of season vs Sunderland
Arsenal will travel to Sunderland on Saturday with the hope of continuing their 100 per cent start to the Premier League campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side face a tricky task overcoming the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light, with the club previously holding the Gunners to a draw at the ground last season.
After Arsenal had to fight hard to beat Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, the manager may be tempted to make changes.
However, one player he simply must keep in the starting XI is Viktor Gyokeres.
The striker is yet to start a Premier League match this season, but was handed a spot in the line-up for the Napoli match.
While the 28-year-old did not score, his previous record against Sunderland shows exactly why he must start.
Viktor Gyokeres was excellent in Arsenal’s last meeting against Sunderland
While Gyokeres may have struggled so far this campaign, there is no doubt that he is capable of finding the back of the net.
This was on show in Arsenal’s last meeting against Sunderland as he came off the bench to net a brace in a 3-0 victory.
Overall, he was excellent, with many of his stats being simply outstanding from the win.
According to Fotmob on 11 September, he had two shots, both of which were on target, had a 0.92 xG, completed 100 per cent of his passes and had two touches inside the opposition’s box.
Considering that Gyokeres clearly knows how to score past Sunderland, Arteta should keep him in the line-up for Saturday.
It would no doubt ensure a victory, especially if he can repeat this display from February.
What is Arsenal’s record vs Sunderland?
Arsenal have a superb recent record against Sunderland.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 14 meetings in all competitions, and have won four of their past five clashes.
In fact, Sunderland have not beaten Arsenal in the Premier League since 2009, which is no doubt an immense record.
However, it remains to be seen if Arsenal can continue this streak on Saturday as they aim to return to the top of the Premier League come the weekend’s end.