Arsenal v Sunderland

Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on Manchester United on Saturday as they take on Sunderland at the Emirates.

Many will already be thinking ahead to the Champions League clash with Barcelona next week, but in many ways, this fixture is just as important to the Gunners’ season.

Should they justify their favourites tag for this fixture, they will reduce Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premier League to a single point. The pressure will then be on Sir Alex Ferguson’s men when they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

As far as team news goes for Arsene Wenger, their injury problems have been well documented. Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas will all miss out this weekend.

Much like during yesterday’s 5-0 thumping of Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, Arsenal will be relying on Nicklas Bendtner – who scored a superb hat-trick against the League One club – to lead the line for them against Sunderland in van Persie’s absence.

As for the Black Cats, they need to stop the rot. Some were tipping them for a European place a few weeks ago and even though this is still a possibility, four defeats on the trot have hardly done their chances any good.

Steve Bruce signed an extended contract last week and would love to celebrate this with a victory against all the odds this weekend.

It has been put to Bruce that Sunderland’s dip in form is down to Darren Bent departure to Aston Villa, but they still have enough quality to cause Arsenal’s defence problems. Especially after the fragile nature it finds itself in after the Carling Cup defeat to Birmingham.

18-year-old Ryan Noble could feature for the away side after making his debut against Everton last time out. The striker will be looking to get himself on the score sheet for the first time and what an occasion it would be to do so.

Overall, it is a match that is probably more important to Arsenal that it is to Sunderland, but this takes nothing away from how rewarding three points would be to Bruce’s men.

Manchester United fans will be watching on with interest when the two teams meet at the Emirates this Saturday at 3pm.