Mikel Arteta can do something not even Arsene Wenger managed at Arsenal against Sunderland
Arsenal are on a march to lift the Premier League, and their next assignment is a trip to Sunderland on Saturday (November 8).
The Gunners have set a relentless pace at the top of the table after 10 matches, with Manchester City trailing Mikel Arteta’s men by six points.
Last time out in the top-flight, their grip on first position was strengthened after Arsenal beat Burnley 2-0, in what was yet another professional performance.
Arteta is now hopeful his side can continue their incredible momentum at the Stadium of Light against newly-promoted Sunderland.
Arsenal can equal 38-year record vs Sunderland
The start of the campaign for Arsenal has been built on defensive solidity and a ruthlessness in attack, something they’ve not had in previous seasons.
Arsenal’s defensive duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have formed the bedrock of their success, while set-piece expert Declan Rice and superstar winger Bukayo Saka are two of several who have carried their attacking threat.
Remarkably, the Gunners haven’t conceded a goal since the win at Newcastle United on September 28, and that is a run of eight matches in all competitions after Arsenal beat Slavia Prague 3-0 in midweek.
In the league, meanwhile, the north London giants have won four in a row without conceding, and if they make it five against Sunderland, it will be the first time since George Graham was in charge between September/October 1987 [BBC Sport].
That would be an incredible achievement for everyone associated with the club, as not even Arsene Wenger managed it, although one man will be fuelled to deny them history.
Granit Xhaka set for Arsenal reunion
Granit Xhaka brought the curtain down on a seven-year stint at the Emirates in July 2023 before joining Bayer Leverkusen and is now starring at Sunderland.
Xhaka won the Bundesliga title in 2024 but couldn’t turn down an opportunity to return to the Premier League, doing so in style.
The Swiss international has been exceptional under Regis Le Bris, leading by example as a captain and with his incredible quality on the pitch.
Xhaka scored his first Sunderland goal at home to Everton on Monday to go with his catalogue of three assists, and when his side meet Arsenal this weekend, he will be desperate to score against his former club.
Speaking ahead of the reunion, Arteta has even explained how the 33-year-old ‘made him a better coach’, and that is why there is huge respect between the two.
“Between all of us, we tried to guide him, to give him a different perspective, to make him feel loved and valued, and he responded in an incredible way. He made me a better coach. He helped us develop and improve significantly as a team and a club,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
“I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories with him.”