Sunderland v Arsenal preview: Jack Wilshere may return for visitors

Jack Wilshere could return for Arsenal as they prepare to travel to Sunderland on Super Sunday.

The midfielder hasn't featured for Arsenal this season after getting injured in August, but could be in line for an appearance at the Stadium of Light as he attempts to boost his hopes of playing for England at Euro 2016.

Sunderland head into the weekend in the relegation zone, one point adrift of 17th-placed Norwich with a game in hand.

Arsenal have seen their title hopes dashed by a poor run of form, but a win against West Brom on Thursday increased their chances of a top-four finish, and victory at the Stadium of Light could see them move seven points clear of Manchester United in fifth.

Team news

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce hopes to have defender DeAndre Yedlin fit after he missed training through injury. Yedlin sat out on Friday with an ankle problem, but Allardyce is hoping he will be able to continue at right-back.

Jack Rodwell will return from illness, but fellow midfielder Jeremain Lens is a doubt after going down with a virus.

Arsene Wenger has no fresh injury concerns; Santi Cazorla (Achilles) and Tomas Rosicky (thigh) are back in training but are not expected to feature, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) is out.

Opta stats

Sunderland have won none of their last 12 Premier League matches against Arsenal (L8 D4).

The Gunners are unbeaten in their last five Premier League trips to the Stadium of Light, winning the last four in a row (D1).

Olivier Giroud made his Premier League debut against Sunderland and has scored four goals in his last four appearances against them.

Aaron Ramsey has scored three goals in his last four league appearances against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats have scored just eight goals in their last 16 Premier League games against The Gunners.

Arsenal have won just three of their last 11 Premier League away games (D5 L3) after winning 10 of the previous 12 (D1 L1).

Sunderland have won just four of their last 17 Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light (D6 L7).

The Gunners have enjoyed two 3-1 victories against Sunderland already this season, in the league and in the FA Cup. Both games saw Joel Campbell, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud net the Gunners' goals.

Sam Allardyce lost just three of the first 11 Premier League meetings with Arsene Wenger (W3 D5), but has lost 11 of the last 13 (W1 D1).

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has scored nine goals in his 14 Premier League appearances in 2016 so far.

Merson's predictions

I watched Arsenal on Sunday and it was one of the flattest performances I've seen, they just went through the motions. It was so quiet at the Emirates that I heard Petr Cech shout 'keeper' when clearing a ball. How is that possible in front of 60,000 people?

Arsenal beat West Brom on Thursday, but they should have beaten Palace too. Sunderland, meanwhile, have picked up under Big Sam, winning at Norwich last week. I fancy them to edge closer to safety with a point, but they do need to score first.

Paul predicts: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)

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