Sunderland v Arsenal – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, Betting Odds – EPL – 11 February 2012
The Black Cats have won their last three league matches as they host 6th place Arsenal in the English Premier League. The match will take place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 EST (USA Eastern), 15:00 GMT (UK time), and 16:00 CET (Central Europe).
Sunderland v Arsenal TV Listings
The match will be televised on Fox Soccer Plus (USA), Rogers Sportsnet (Canada), C+ (Spain), Digi Sport (Romania/Slovakia/Czech Republic), LIG TV (Turkey), Sky Sport (Italy), Sport 1 (Israel), SuperSport (Africa), TV3 (Sweden), TV2 PL (Norway), and Abu Dhabi Sports (Middle East).
Sunderland v Arsenal Preview
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
“We go into a period that will decide our season. I think it is that important because in one week we play three games in three different competitions.
“In every single competition we are, of course, in a position where we want to win our games.
“It did not come off [last season] because one big disappointment can have a consequence on the next one.
“It makes me confident [this time] because I feel the team has the mental strength and a fantastic attitude on a daily basis. And from what we have learned from last year.”
“I felt that Sunderland were a bit unlucky at the start of the season with Steve Bruce.”
“Sometimes when a team has a recent negative history they lose confidence, and a new manager coming in with the experience of Martin O’Neill always helps to boost the side. They are a good team and I am not surprised.
“I don’t know too much what he has done on a daily basis but he has improved their results.
“They have done well and we are doing well. We have rebuilt our confidence and it is important that we go there in a positive mind and that we come back with three points.”
Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill
“Arsenal scored seven goals last week and are in decent form. It’s always a tough game.
“We have a bit of confidence ourselves and will go into the game with plenty of respect, but hopefully no great fear.
“We can only deal with the game in front of us and try to get that won if we can. Then we will look to the next one. That is the best approach.”
“Confidence has been a major thing. Who knows how you get it – perhaps winning football matches, which is very important.
“Perhaps it’s players getting back on the training ground and gaining confidence from doing things they’ve been used to doing before.
“It is probably eking out victories in front of crowds; we’ve been able to do that, so confidence should be high at the moment.”
“The general view is that the city of Sunderland lives for football, which is great. It’s a proper footballing area.
“The club itself is really important to [the fans], and if we win a couple of football matches it lifts everyone’s spirits. If we’re down in the doldrums, it seems to reflect on the city.
“It’s gone very well indeed. I’m reluctant to tell you that we’ve solved every single problem – far from it – but it’s nice to win a few games.”
Team EPL Stats
| Sunderland | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 24 | 24 |
| Table Position | 8 | 6 |
| Points | 33 | 40 |
| Goal Difference | 9 | 12 |
| Goals for * | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Goals against * | 0.9 | 2.1 |
| Last 5 | W-W-W-L-W | W-D-L-L-L |
| Last 5 home | W-W-W-D-W | W-L-W-D-W |
| Last 5 away | W-L-W-W-L | D-L-L-W-L |
| * Goals per match – home matches for home club and away matches for away club | ||
| Sunderland | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Stephane Sessegnon 6 | Robin Van Persie 22 |
| Assists | Stephane Sessegnon 7 | Robin Van Persie 7 |
| Yellows | Lee Cattermole 7 | Alex Song 7 |
| Reds | Phillip Bardsley 1 | Johan Djourou 1 |
Upcoming EPL Fixtures
| Sunderland | Arsenal | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/11 | Arsenal | 2/11 | @Sunderland |
| 2/25 | @West Bromwich Albion | 2/26 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 3/4 | @Newcastle United | 3/3 | @Liverpool |
| 3/10 | Liverpool | 3/12 | Newcastle United |
| 3/17 | @Blackburn Rovers | 3/17 | @Everton |
Sunderland v Arsenal Prediction
1-1 Draw
Sunderland v Arsenal Betting Odds
Sunderland win – 12/5
Draw – 12/5
Arsenal win – 11/10
