It feels as if the international break has diluted the sense of unease at both of these clubs but the spotlight will be back on the loser. Or, in the case of a draw, Arsenal. Arsène Wenger was in relaxed mood and he joked at the expense of the reporters. "The speciality is to get bad news in the newspapers so it's not worth spoiling your breakfast," said the avid reader. Here is some more negativity for him – no team with less than eight points after seven games has finished in the Premier League's top four, although three sides have made fifth. David Hytner

Venue Emirates Stadium, Sunday 1.30pm

Tickets £38-70 (020 7619 5000)

Last season Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Referee Howard Webb

This season's matches 5 Y25, R3, 5.60 cards per game

Odds Arsenal 5-11 Sunderland 15-2 Draw 7-2

Arsenal

Subs from Fabianski, Mannone, Djourou, André Santos, Squillaci, Miquel, Park, Chamakh, Benayoun, Miyaichi, Rosicky, Frimpong, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin

Doubtful Rosicky (groin)

Injured Diaby (ankle, 25 Oct), Vermaelen (ankle, 29 Oct), Sagna (broken leg, Dec), Wilshere (ankle, Feb)

Suspended None

Form guide LWLWLL

Disciplinary record Y15 R3

Leading scorer Van Persie 3

Sunderland

Subs from Westwood, Laing, Colback, Meyler, Vaughan, Wickham, McClean, Cook, Angeleri, Liddle, R Noble

Doubtful None

Injured Gordon (knee, Nov), Campbell (knee, Apr)

Suspended Bardsley (last of four), Bramble (club suspension)

Unavailable Bendtner (terms of loan)

Form guide DLWLDL

Disciplinary record Y13 R1

Leading scorer Larsson 2

Match pointers

• There have been only eight goals scored in the last seven top-flight meetings between these sides

• Arsenal players have blocked 15 shots this season, fewer than any other side

• Sunderland's clean sheet at the Emirates last season was one of just four they have managed in their last 23 Premier League matches

• Arsenal have conceded 16 goals, more than in any season since 1963-64 when they let in 20 in their first seven games

• Sunderland's last win at Arsenal in the league was a 2-1 victory in November 1983 – Ian Atkins and Colin West got the goals for the visitors