Arsenal vs Sunderland preview: Gunners start defence of the FA Cup in all Premier League clash

A look ahead to the FA Cup third round fixture at the Emirates

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (GETTY IMAGES)

Jermaine Lens. Dropped again for the Black Cats’ victory against Villa, the 28 year-old striker is struggling to provide any attacking threat. Lens has had just one shot on target in his last six matches, scoring only two goals in all 14 appearances this season.

Best Stat…

Sunderland are one of only two teams to win against Arsenal in the FA Cup in the last 4 years, beating them 2-0 in the fifth round during the 2012 season. The other team was Blackburn in 2013.

Player to watch…

Mesut Özil. The German maestro has been pulling all the right strings this season, and shows no signs of slowing down his stratospheric assist rate. He has created 16 chances in the last 3 games alone.

Past three meetings…

Arsenal 3 (Campbell, Giroud, Ramsey) Sunderland 1 (Giroud OG), Premier League, December 2015

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0, Premier League, May 2015

Sunderland 0 Arsenal 2 (Sanchez 2), Premier League, October 2014

Form guide…

ARSENAL: WWWLWW

SUNDERLAND: LLLLLW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: Saturday 9^th January, 3.00pm

TV: Highlights BBC1 at 10.25pm