Sunderland travel to Arsenal, the holders of the FA Cup, in the third round of this year’s competition. The Gunners have won back-to-back FA Cup trophies and are looking to make it three in a row this year. Sunderland have not won the competition since 1973 and although the cup is not a priority, Sam Allardyce will still be hoping to progress into the fourth round this Saturday. Big Sam is expected to field a weakened team at the Emirates, with a busy week ahead for the Black Cats.
Kick-off – Saturday 9th January @ 1500
Venue – The Emirates Stadium
Referee – Martin Atkinson
Potential Sunderland Squad – Pantilimon, Pickford, Mannone, Matthews, Jones, O’Shea, Laing, Yedlin, Coates, Van Aanholt, Cattermole, Lens, Gomez, Toivonen, M’Vila, Johnson, Borini, Graham, Watmore, Fletcher.
Injuries: Kaboul (Hamstring), Larsson (Hamstring), Rodwell (Knock), Kirchoff (Awaiting International Clearance).
Potential Arsenal Squad: Ospina, Gibbs, Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Macey, Debuchy, Bellerin, Chambers, Gabriel, Ramsey, Cazorla, Walcott, Arteta, Flamini, Ozil, Campbell, Ox-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Giroud, Sanchez.
Injuries: Rosicky (knee, Jan), Wilshere (fractured leg, Jan), Welbeck (knee, Feb), Coquelin (knee, Mar).
Read Sunderland’s Prediction:
This will be a very tough ask of Sunderland, with many players running on empty. I can’t see the Black Cats coming away with a cup upset this weekend.
Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland
