Sunderland host Arsenal in Granit Xhaka derby as Gunners look to keep up good begin

September 11, 2026
7:43 pm

The Stadium of Gentle will host the newest chapter of the Granit Xhaka derby on Saturday night when Sunderland welcome Premier League champions Arsenal to Wearside.

The 2 sides will meet at 8pm, with Sunderland trying to lengthen their spectacular unbeaten run whereas Arsenal goal to keep up their good begin to the brand new Premier League marketing campaign.

Each groups enter the fixture having progressed in Europe and home cup competitors respectively. Sunderland edged previous Hull Metropolis 1-0 within the EFL Cup third spherical on Tuesday, whereas Arsenal secured a slender 1-0 victory over Napoli within the Champions League.

Arsenal’s most up-to-date Premier League outing noticed them declare a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in what was anticipated to be a tactical battle between the Gunners’ assault and the Blues’ defence.

The anticipated defence-versus-attack contest finally unfolded, though Arsenal’s attacking high quality proved decisive. Chelsea took the lead by way of Morgan Rogers, whose quickfire volley briefly disrupted the Gunners, however Arsenal responded strongly.

Mikel Arteta (Photo Credit: reuters media) — Mikel Arteta (Photograph Credit score: reuters media)

For the hosts, nonetheless, consideration is already starting to show in direction of their very own European journey. Sunderland will start their Europa League marketing campaign on September 16 when AZ Alkmaar go to the Stadium of Gentle, offering Regis Le Bris and his gamers with one other main event in an already memorable season.

Earlier than then, Sunderland have continued to exhibit their skill to compete throughout a number of competitions.

Their Premier League marketing campaign has additionally produced encouraging outcomes, with the Black Cats amassing 4 factors from their opening two matches. They started with a 1-0 victory over Fulham earlier than securing a 1-1 draw in opposition to Brentford.

That unbeaten begin has given Sunderland confidence forward of the go to of the reigning champions, though Arsenal will present by far their hardest check thus far.

With Xhaka going through his former membership and each side arriving on the again of constructive outcomes, the Stadium of Gentle guarantees to offer an interesting Premier League encounter as Sunderland try to halt Arsenal’s good begin.

Granit Xhaka, (Credit: Getty Images) — Granit Xhaka, (Credit score: Getty Pictures)

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Arteta was able to make a handful of modifications to his Arsenal XI in opposition to Napoli, regardless of lacking each Cristhian Mosquera (muscle) and Jurrien Timber (groin), each of whom are uncertain for Saturday too.

As for Sunderland, Le Bris sustained no new critical issues after the Brentford or Hull fixtures, previous to which Habib Diarra was dominated out for six to eight weeks with the thigh damage he sustained in opposition to Fulham.