Sunderland V Arsenal Barclays Premier League Match 14 -September 2013.Sunderland captain John O'Shea serves a one-game ban, although the Irishman could be out for longer after injuring his ankle on international duty.
New signing Fabio Borini is in line for his debut, possibly partnering fit-again striker Steven Fletcher, who has not started a game since March.
New Arsenal signing Mesut Ozil missed Friday training, but may still replace the injured Tomas Rosicky.Watch Sunderland V Arsenal Live, Watch Sunderland V Arsenal Live Stream, Watch Sunderland V Arsenal Free Live Stream, Watch Sunderland V Arsenal Online, Watch Sunderland V Arsenal Online Free, Sunderland V Arsenal Live, Sunderland V Arsenal live stream Online.
Per Mertesacker misses out with illness, and Yaya Sanogo is not fit.
MATCH PREVIEW
Paolo Di Canio's appearance and every subsequent touch was unsurprisingly booed during his generous turnout for Steve Harper's testimonial match at St James' Park on Wednesday. Unless Sunderland's results improve quickly, it's a sound he might start hering on home turf too.
One point from the first three games of the season is a miserable return so far, but a slow start shouldn't be wholly unexpected with so many new players brought in at once.
By the end of the transfer window the newcomers count stood at 14, with nine already having played a part. Two more are likely to be involved here, with Ki Sung-Yueng and Fabio Borini loaned in from Swansea and Liverpool respectively.
If they get their debuts against Arsenal they'll do well to upstage the new man in the Gunners ranks, with German midfield maestro Mesut Ozil set for his Premier League bow. At £42.5 million, Arsene Wenger's only major signing of the summer cost well over twice as much as all of Sunderland's put together!
His abilities are well known, as are his assist statistics over the last five years (see below), and there seems to be genuine disbelief amongst some at Arsenal that they've got him AND some at Real Madrid that he was allowed to leave.
Assists in top five European leagues during last five seasons
Ovier Giroud - the club's only currently fit senior striker and in fine goalscoring form - must have a permanent grin at the thought of service from Ozil in addition to the help he already gets from Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott.
What a contrast to the Arsenal mood from just four weeks ago after their opening-day defeat to Aston Villa. What a difference a signing makes - even before he's played!
Sunderland's mood very much depends on how soon their signings can gel, and how well they tackle their next seven home league games - Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Seven points would be magnificent.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Sunderland's only win in their last 19 league meetings with Arsenal came at the Stadium of Light in November 2009, when Darren Bent scored the decisive goal.
The Black Cats have only scored two first-half goals in the 24 Premier League meetings between the clubs and have never been ahead at the interval.
However, they did beat Arsenal 2-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February 2012.
Sunderland
Sunderland's two Premier League goals this term have both been headers, meaning they have already matched their tally of headed goals in the 2012-13 season.
The Black Cats won two of their first three games under Paolo Di Canio, but since then have claimed three points from seven league matches (D3, L4).
They have won only two Premier League games at the Stadium of Light in 2013 (against West Ham in January and Everton in April).
After taking on Arsenal, Sunderland have home games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Last season the Black Cats collected five points from those corresponding seven fixtures.
Arsenal
The Gunners have won six successive Premier League away games for only the second time. It is their best form since winning their final eight away matches in the 2001-02 season.
Olivier Giroud has yet score a Premier League goal outside of London, with 12 of his 14 strikes netted at the Emirates Stadium.
Only Fulham (21) have allowed their opponents more shots on target in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (17).
The Gunners have conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season - as many as they let in during the entire 2012-13 season.