Mikel Arteta is preaching the doctrine of one game at a time with Arsenal top of the Premier League but deep down he will know the importance of this weekend in the title race.
Victory at Sunderland this evening would move Arsenal nine points clear of Manchester City and 10 clear of Liverpool before the two other plausible contenders play at the Etihad tomorrow.
It is also the final game before the international break, and Arsenal need one final push to make it nine consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, which matched a club record from 1903. They are also seeking a sixth successive league victory.
That will be no easy task against Sunderland, who have lost just twice since promotion and boast a defensive record which is the equal of Manchester City. At kick-off, Sunderland will be level on points with Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Another subplot this evening is Granit Xhaka starting against his former club. The Swiss midfielder ran the show in the second half of Monday’s 1-1 draw with Everton, and has been one of the signings of the season since moving to Wearside. Arsenal will be well aware of the quality of his distribution, but also might have an insight into possible defensive weaknesses.
Sunderland should take confidence from their form, as well as Arsenal’s injuries in attacking areas. The league leaders are expected to be without Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odeegaard and Noni Madueke. Gabriel Jesus is back in full training, but some way from a return.
Arsenal will lean on Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino for goal-threat, but they will be short of options from the bench. They might be vulnerable if they were to concede first, but they have only shipped three all season.
Full team news on the way shortly.
