Sunderland v Arsenal: Key stats and talking points

Arsenal head into their Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening, aiming to continue their flawless start to the season. The Gunners have won all three of their league games so far, making a strong start in their defense of the title they won last year. Meanwhile, Sunderland have shown resilience after a loss to Ipswich Town, claiming four points in their subsequent fixtures against Fulham and Brentford.

Sunderland have a history of giving Arsenal a tough time, having won only one of their last 14 league games at the Stadium of Light. Their record against the Gunners stands at just one victory in 29 Premier League meetings, with 17 losses. To turn this around, Sunderland will likely rely on their direct playing style that has been effective since returning to the Premier League. Under head coach Regis le Bris, the Black Cats prefer to move the ball forward quickly, aiming to catch Arsenal off-guard.

Arsenal's star midfielder Martin Odegaard has been instrumental in their impressive start to the season. The player scored a goal last season and has continued with four goals in five games this term, including the winning strike against Napoli in a Champions League match. Odegaard's playing style has shifted tactically, allowing him more opportunities in dangerous areas of the pitch.

He has increased his shots, expected goals, and touches in the opponent's box per 90 minutes compared to last season. Additionally, his movements off the ball show a greater willingness to get into scoring positions, with seven cross-option runs this season alone.

Meanwhile, even without injured players Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, Arsenal's defense remains solid. Their last three matches have yielded three clean sheets, with a total of 0.93 expected goals conceded – the lowest in the division.