Collins ready for Gunners

Centre-back insists winning results are just around the corner

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 2nd October 2008

Danny Collins Sunderland

Collins: Not afraid

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Sunderland defender Danny Collins is confident his side can cause an upset against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Gunners suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Premier League new boys Hull last weekend, but gave the perfect response on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League when they thrashed Porto 4-0.

That result may come as a concern for those on Wearside, but Collins insists after last season's league game at the Emirates Stadium, the Black Cats have nothing to fear.

"We went there last year and we were 2-0 down after 10 minutes, and you are perhaps thinking, 'We are going to get hammered here'," Collins said.

"But we dug in, we rolled our sleeves up and we were unlucky not to come away with a point.

"We got back to 2-2 and Liam Miller was unlucky not to go through and get us a winner just before they scored.

"We certainly know we are capable on our day of causing an upset against them, and I am sure the boys will be confident going into that one."

Criticism

Sunderland have come in for some criticism from the supporters of late after struggling in their last two home games against Middlesbrough and Northampton.

And although the number of new faces at the club over the summer has been highlighted as the reason for their below par form, Collins insists that the good results are just around the corner.

"You can use the excuse that when a lot of players come in, the team needs

time to gel, but I think top players who are coming in shouldn't really need too

much time," he said.

"In the majority of games, we have played well, we have had good possession and spells where we have knocked it around quite well, perhaps barring the

Manchester City game in the second half, where we weren't at the races.

"In general, we have not done too badly in games. You look at the Liverpool

game, where we should have at least come away with a point, the same as the

Villa game at the weekend.

"Overall, things are looking good for us, and with a bit of luck and if we take one or two chances and keep it a bit tighter at the other end, we should be okay."