Bardsley ready for tough test

Black Cats full-back hoping to keep Gunners quiet

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 17th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bardsley ready for tough test

Bardsley: In the firing line

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Phil Bardsley admits Sunderland must be ready for their 'ultimate test' when they host Arsenal on Saturday.

The Gunners have been in fearsome form in front of goal this season and will be keen to continue that trend at the Stadium of Light.

Arsene Wenger will be without the injured Robin van Persie this weekend, but the Black Cats know they will still need to be at their resolute best if they are to emerge unscathed.

Bardsley, who will form part of a back four directly in the firing line, admits as much, but the combative full-back feels Steve Bruce's side are capable of springing an upset.

"It's going to be a great challenge because they're a tremendous side Arsenal, we know that," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"They don't often lose games. You go into games against them with no-one expecting you to do anything against them.

"But if we go into the game with the same sort of attitude as we've shown against other big guns, like Manchester United and Liverpool, then there's no reason why we can't get something out of the game.

"I suppose Arsenal are the ultimate test at the moment, if you're a defender, because of the fact they're such a good goalscoring side.

Attitude

"They've got great movement and great quality players, they love to go forward and they love to do it with pace.

"But that's why we're here. That's why we're in this division, to test ourselves against challenges like that and to stand up to them and even overcome them.

"If we show the right attitude and produce our best football then we can produce an upset."

Sunderland's cause has been boosted by the news that club captain Lorik Cana is set to make his return from suspension this weekend.

He is excited by the prospect of facing Arsenal, having missed out on the 2-0 defeat to the Gunners' North London neighbours Tottenham last time out.

Cana told the club's official website: "It was very hard for me to watch my own team-mates from the sidelines. I could not do anything. Especially for myself, it is very frustrating.

"But I did not have a choice and it was important for me to be there with them and support them even though I could not play."