Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their 2-2 draw with Sunderland: "Credit to them, it was the type of game that they wanted to throw you in and you have to handle that.

"There are a lot of games like this in the Premier League right now. We conceded a goal in a manner we knew was one of their biggest strengths. They do that really well.

"After that I think we reacted well. We scored the first goal, then the second and the game was dominated. But in any moment, they just need a foul or a long throw, a direct ball to create that chaos.

"You have to defend actions well. We conceded a goal and we're really disappointed because even at the end we had a massive chance with [Riccardo Calafiori] and Mikel [Merino] to win it. But it wasn't meant to be so we have to accept it."

Any complaints? "No, we have won the last 10 games, not conceded goals, we have seven players injured and the team has been phenomenal in performances and results, so let's keep going."

On second-half performance: "We had to do something better, especially with how they set up with all the long and direct balls.

"We said something on that which allowed up more control and to dominate. We changed a few things to have more penetration and more threat. We scored two very good goals and it's a shame how we conceded at the end."

On Sunderland: "They make it really hard for you. It's is not a criticism. My feeling is that we should have won it."

On assessment of the season so far: "Very strong position for the reasons I said. Clean sheets, seven top players up front injured so we haven't been able to rotate as much. We've had some very tough games as well.

"Let's get some players back and go again."

Did you know? Arsenal failed to beat a promoted side in a Premier League match for the first time since May 2023 (0-1 vs Nottingham Forest), ending a 14-game winning run against such teams.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Arsenal have been in brilliant form this season, sweeping aside teams in the Premier League and in Europe as they look set to challenge for a number of trophies.

Their eight consecutive clean sheets leading up to this game matched a 122-year-old club record, but they could not take it outright.

And this result will undoubtedly be a frustrating one for manager Mikel Arteta.

His team had done well to turn around the game after a difficult first 45 minutes. Once Leandro Trossard struck, it seemed like they would see the game out and extend their winning run to 11 games.

But instead the Arsenal defence - which had given up so few shots in recent games - became worryingly exposed as Sunderland applied pressure in the final minutes.

This was a setback for Arsenal given they would have gone nine points clear with a win, but it is a game Arteta will hope his side will learn from.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland name an unchanged side for the visit of Arsenal as Granit Xhaka faces his former side.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Traore, Le Fee; Isidor.

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Talbi, Brobbey, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Adingra, Masuaku.

There's three changes for Arsenal.

Martin Zubimendi returns from suspension while Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori also come back into the XI.

Mikel Merino continues to start in attack.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Merino.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Hincapie, Mosquera, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Dowman, Harriman-Annous.

Sunderland improved a lot as their game went on against Everton, but they got a real good going-over in the early stages.

They cannot afford to start like that against Arsenal, who have superior players and are such a threat from set-pieces too.

The Gunners don't have to play well to win, they just grind away until they find a way through.

Mikel Arteta's side weren't pretty when they beat Slavia Prague in the Champions League but they don't care, and why should they?

Some of the football they play might get people asking whether that is the way you'd want to win a title, but do you think the Arsenal players will be bothered when they are popping open the champagne?

It is about knowing how to do it, not how you do it.

There is a lot of the old '1-0 to the Arsenal' in this current Gunners team, although I do expect them to take more goals off other teams at times.

It is at the back where they are so strong.

Can Sunderland cause them problems? Absolutely, but I think this latest Arsenal win will come off the back of another Arsenal clean sheet.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Manchester United (12:30)

• Everton v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Wolves (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

High-flying Sunderland face their biggest test to date as they host league leaders Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday (17:30 GMT). BBC Sport explores some key themes surrounding this fixture.

Sunderland's Xhaka set for emotional reunion

Promoted Sunderland's exceptional start to this Premier League campaign has been well documented.

Their total of 18 points from the opening 10 games is the best return by a newly promoted side for 17 years.

That side was Hull City in 2008-09, who amassed 20 points from their first 10 matches before an alarming drop in form. Phil Brown's team collected a meagre 15 from their remaining 28 fixtures and ended the season just a point above the relegation zone in 17th.

Hull's sharp decline is a reminder of the Premier League's unforgiving nature and Saturday's clash with Arsenal is likely to be the toughest test yet for Regis Le Bris and his players.

Much of the focus this weekend will be on midfielder Granit Xhaka, as the 33-year-old – who scored his first Sunderland goal in the 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday night – is set to face his former club this weekend.

Xhaka made 225 Premier League appearances for the Gunners between 2016 and 2023, with 113 of those coming under their current boss Mikel Arteta. The Swiss international is one of just nine players to represent both clubs in the division, including Nicklas Bendtner and Steve Bould.

Europe's best defence

Arsenal's rise to the top of the Premier League table has primarily been built on defence.

Their clean sheet in the 3-0 win at Slavia Prague on Tuesday night was their eighth in a row in all competitions, equalling a 122-year-old club record.

The previous feat was achieved by Woolwich Arsenal in 1903 and it was between seasons, which makes this current run all the more impressive.

Their past four wins have all come without conceding and the Gunners last won five successive league games without letting in a goal some 38 years ago under George Graham.

The Gunners have the best defensive record of any team in Europe's top five leagues this term, with the most shut-outs, the fewest goals conceded and fewest shots on target faced per game.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded only 19 shots on target in the Premier League this season, including just one across their last four matches. Their average of 1.9 shots on target faced per game is the lowest since Opta's records began in 2003-04.

The league leaders have a watertight defence, one of the deepest squads in Europe and have scored eight top-flight goals from corners this season – the most ever by a side in their first 10 games of a season.

Recent history is also on their side in this fixture. The Gunners are unbeaten in their past 15 Premier League meetings with Sunderland, winning 10 and drawing five.

Image source, Getty Images

The way Arsenal are behaving at the moment reminds me very much of the Arsene Wenger teams with which I won three Premier League titles.

In those teams, it was done from a strong base and Mikel Arteta's side has got a similar look about it, very similar characteristics, if not better in some ways.

The Gunners have only lost one game in all competitions and have conceded fewer goals than any other Premier League team.

They have the most clean sheets so far this season across all competitions and have won all of their past eight games without conceding.

Arteta's men have faced 75 shots in the Premier League this season - 19 fewer than any other team - and conceded only three goals.

There's a passion to defend as much as there is to score goals with this Arsenal team. I am seeing what I saw in the past. It had disappeared and now it's all coming back again.

Arsenal should never lose this DNA again, because they lost it for too long. The best way to keep it is to win something, to keep everyone together and that secures the future.

You have to live it, breathe it, keep it, eat it. Nothing else matters more, and it just becomes a part of your character and your personality. It's like a badge that you walk around with. It can take quite a few years to get to to that boiling point. And that's where Arsenal are now.

They just have to keep a lid on it.

Read his full column here

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta believes the return of Gabriel Jesus will "add something extra" to Arsenal's impetus as the Gunners look to end their title wait.

Jesus has not featured in a competitive fixture since January due to a cruciate ligament tear.

The 28-year-old has scored 26 times in 96 matches for Arteta, but his absence has seen Kai Havertz deployed as a striker as well as the signing of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line.

But Jesus has now returned to training, with Arteta pleased with both the energy he has shown and the enthusiasm of his team-mates in welcoming him back.

Arteta said: "Again, a player that is very unpredictable, full of energy, super competitive, a player that comes from a context of difficulty in the last few seasons for various nasty injuries. So the level of hunger and desire that he's going to bring to the team is going to be amazing. So I'm thrilled to have him, I think he's going to add something extra to the team that we don't have and make sure that very soon we see him on that pitch making an impact for the team."

Arteta's side travel to Sunderland on Saturday for a 17:30 GMT kick-off and are currently on a 10-game winning run in all competitions, last conceding a goal at Newcastle in late September.

Asked on Friday if the only team who can stop Arsenal winning the title are Arsenal themselves, Arteta replied: "No, I don't agree. I'm sorry, because any team has the capacity, and I'm sure they believe as well that they can do it, so we are fully aware of that. We know our strength, we know the things that we have to improve as well, and we're just focused on that."

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• In terms of team news, Arteta says there is "no news" and "nobody new that can join the squad".

• Asked if Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke will miss out on Saturday, he said: "I cannot confirm all of that, but you are not far."

• The Spaniard says he hopes to be "in a really strong position" with "most of them" after the international break.

• Arteta explained that Gabriel Jesus is back in training with the team, adding: "Now is about making the steps day by day, in a different surrounding. Now he has competitive players around him, see how he copes with that. He is full of energy. I love the reaction of his team-mates."

• On the omission of Myles Lewis-Skelly from the England squad, Arteta was asked if there is a need to protect or put an arm around the talented youngster: "Yes, for sure. We are here to support and to help each other and give a good perspective of the situation. So don't look at the one moment of what is happening for you because maybe today it is happening for the right reason."

• The Arsenal boss described Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka as "one of the best" summer signings. Discussing his former player, he added: "I loved every minute that we spent together. When he joined he was in a special moment in his life and his career. He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop as a football team and as a club, and I will be eternally grateful."

• The Gunners are still due to play at Everton on 21 December in a Premier League fixture and host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup two days later, but Arteta said: "Hopefully not. I am super optimistic that this is not going to be the case."

• Offering more on the fixture congestion, Arteta said: "From every angle - from the Premier League, from the EFL, from Uefa - all the time the only thing that we talk about is the welfare of the players and the supporters. If we want to maintain that principle that cannot be the case - we cannot play Sunday and Tuesday. So we have very positive talks to the clubs and to the Premier League, and hopefully we'll find a way to help as much as possible."

• Asked if his team are getting enough credit for their performances and position, Arteta responded: "It's not about credit, it's about doing it - and once you've done it, do it again. That's what we have to do."

• With Liverpool travelling to Manchester City this weekend, he discussed the opportunity to further Arsenal's advantage, saying: "Every weekend is crucial. There are times for possible results, maybe they are a little more important. But you have to be consistent regardless if you want to achieve your goals."

• On Declan Rice's recent form, Arteta said: "He's been super consistent and playing at a high level. We see him impact the game in various ways and this is exactly what we want. His role in the team is growing in a really natural way."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen Arsenal's trip to Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Live at 17:30 on Saturday

How to follow the Premier League on the BBC this weekend

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England boss Thomas Tuchel has named his 25-man squad for the final time this year ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

The Three Lions have already secured qualification.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle).

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal might not be putting a foot wrong at the moment, but are Manchester City and defending Liverpool champions still in the title race with them?

Whether 10 games is still too early to make a fair judgment of how a season might pan out, it does provide a good marker for comparison with just over a quarter of the campaign gone.

The fewest points a team has had after 10 games in the Premier League and gone on to win the title is 18 - something achieved by both Manchester clubs, with United doing so in 1992-93 and 2002-03 and City in 2020-21.

By both winning last weekend, Manchester City and Liverpool have avoided having to make Premier League history by winning the title with fewer than 18 points after 10 games.

However, the most points a team has been behind the leaders after 10 matches and still gone on to claim the trophy is six - something again achieved by both Manchester clubs, with United doing so in 2002-03 and City in 2013-14.

As both the Gunners and City picked up three points last weekend, it means they have the same points as in 2013-14, when City were six points behind then leaders Arsenal and still won the title (25 v 19).

On the other hand, Liverpool are - according to history - effectively out of the title race as they now sit seven points behind the north London side and overcoming that difference at this stage of the season has never been done before.

The Gunners' six-point lead is, in fact, the joint-biggest ever after 10 games of a Premier League campaign and it is just the third time in the competition's history a team has had such a big lead at this stage - with both Chelsea in 2005-06 and Liverpool in 2019-20 going on to win the title on those occasions.

Another positive sign for Arsenal supporters is that the three points picked up against Burnley last Saturday has taken them to the average number of points at this stage of the campaign for title-winning teams (25 - average is 24.7).

So, while much of the historical data points in the direction of the Premier League trophy heading to Emirates Stadium at the end of the season, this is football - and records are there to be broken.

Stats provided by BBC Sport statistician Chris Collinson

Arsenal have placed a 150m euro (£132m) valuation on midfielder Declan Rice, who is admired by Real Madrid. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fitness updates for some of Arsenal's longer-term injury absentees has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Arsenal' form, where you can submit what you would like to know about the Gunners.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed in his news conference before the Burnley match that he hoped Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could be fit for Arsenal's match with rivals Tottenham.

The north London derby is on 23 November and Arteta sounded hopeful when asked about the trio's return.

"Yeah. And [I am] excited because they are tremendous players. I see them work every single day and how desperate they are to be part of the team," said the Spaniard.

"[It will be] a huge boost for the squad to have those players available again after such a long, long time. So, I'm really happy that I think it is going to be very soon."

Madueke has not played since September because of a knee injury but is pushing to be in contention for England having impressed under Thomas Tuchel.

Havertz has not featured since the opening weekend victory at Manchester United and Odegaard is recovering from a medial ligament injury.

Martin Zubimendi did come off against Burnley with a muscular issue, but he trained before the Slavia Prague match - a game he was suspended for - so it looks like the midfielder will be fit for the Gunners' trip to Sunderland on Saturday.

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With the countdown to the Celebrity Traitors final under way, we asked you which Arsenal player or manager - past or present - would make the best traitor and faithful.

Here are some of your comments:

Henry: Mikel Merino would be a good traitor because he is always able to creep up behind an opponent and score a goal or take the ball from them.

Matt: Martin Odegaard would be a great traitor. He has a lovable personality and comes across as honest and trustworthy. Not outgoing enough to be over-noticed and would band faithfuls against one another with his low-key leadership. Declan Rice is the obvious choice for faithful. Too obvious actually, so I'm going with Jurrien Timber. Nobody would dare accuse him!

Alexi: The traitor would be Merino because every time he plays he delivers in style, just like the traitors, by scoring beautiful goals and linking up brilliantly with the team. The faithful would be Rice because he leads the team in the right direction with his actions. He is the perfect role model and the perfect faithful to figure out who the traitors are!

Ned: Best traitor - Dennis Bergkamp. His silky skills during challenges would earn him credibility as a faithful, while his tricksy nature and iron will would ensure he remained undetected and disciplined in eliminating all the faithful. Best faithful - Herbert Chapman. Founder of the W-M formation and one of the godfathers of modern football. Arsene Wenger is the only one who has come close to matching his impact. This Chappers would easily galvanise and inspire the faithful to safety.

Jonathan: The only possible acceptable traitor is Ben White - master of the po-faced dark arts, he would be wonderful to watch! And, of course, Bukayo Saka is the most pure, dependable faithful anyone could ever wish for!

You can watch the final of The Celebrity Traitors live from 21:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer

Watch highlights as Mikel Merino's brace helps guide Arsenal to a commanding 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League. The win not only sealed another impressive European night for Mikel Arteta's side but also saw the Gunners equal a 122-year-old club record by keeping their eighth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Five teams from one country had never all won in a single round of the Champions League matches prior to this season.

But Premier League sides did exactly that this week, as they did in the previous round of games. English sides have won 17 of 24 fixtures so far, a win percentage of 71%.

The richest league in the world is leveraging its financial muscle, and if this consistency continues, it could result in the Premier League earning a 'bonus' Champions League place for the team finishing fifth, as was the case last year.

Juventus plan to open contract negotiations with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea target Kenan Yildiz, 20, and expect the Turkey forward to stay in Turin. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert

Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.

This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.

It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.

The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Arsenal player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.

Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?

Get in touch with your choices and the reasons why here

The Celebrity Traitors final will air on Thursday, 6 November on BBC One and iPlayer

English sides are excelling in the Champions League.

Three wins out of three last night - all with clean sheets - maintained the early Champions League dominance by English sides as the league phase nears the halfway point.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham occupy one of the top-eight spots that guarantee automatic qualification for the last 16, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle all seeking to join – or replace – them by winning tonight.

English teams have averaged 2.3 points per game in the Champions League this season, far exceeding any of the other four nations that have three or more sides in the competition.

Success breeds success and England is currently well clear at the top of Uefa's co-efficient rankings. These are based on results across the three European competitions and determine which two leagues will earn an additional Champions League spot for next season.

It granted the Premier League a fifth spot last season - and currently England is in prime position to secure the same prize again this time around.

Chris Howard
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Merino will rightly get plaudits for his double in the 3-0 victory in Prague and that defence might be deservedly being praised for breaking records.

But in an Arsenal team which has suffered its fair share of injuries this season already, a diminutive Belgian wide-forward has emerged as a real unsung hero.

Leandro Trossard was expected by most Arsenal fans – myself included – to be a bit-part player this season.

Many assumed the arrival of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke could force his exit this summer. But here we all are in November, with a quarter of the season gone, and he has himself three goals and four assists in 13 appearances for the Arsenal.

The cross for Merino's first goal last night was absolutely inch perfect and while Merino still had to time his run and get the finish right, Trossard's work certainly helped him make it look as easy as he did.

There were times last season when we were decimated with injuries that his form slipped and we could not wait to see the return of Gabriel Martinelli.

Indeed, this season with some of the goals and the form that Martinelli has shown, I thought Trossard would find his place back on the bench eventually.

But even a few weeks back when Martinelli was available to start, Mikel Arteta still preferred starting Leo, and I can see why.

He had the beating of his man last night and seems to have picked up half a yard of pace too this season, despite being 30 and one of the elder statesmen in the team.

We all know his close control and ability to change direction gives him half-a-yard advantage at times, but it feels like he is using it even more effectively than he has previously in his Arsenal career, which is timely given all the injuries the attack has.

At a time in which we lost another one in Viktor Gyokeres last weekend, Trossard gives us hope of end product at Sunderland.

Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external