Key Points
- Arsenal, the Premier League leaders under Mikel Arteta, host high-flying Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday afternoon to tighten their grip on the title race.
- The Gunners sit six points clear at the top of the table following a 4-0 win over Leeds United, with an unbeaten run of 43 home games against newly-promoted sides.
- Sunderland, managed by Régis Le Bris, are in 8th place after a 3-0 thumping of Burnley on Monday Night Football, with goals from Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi, and an Axel Tuanzebe own goal.
- The Black Cats have won three of their last four games but are winless in seven away Premier League matches since a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in October.
- Betfred offers a £50 welcome bonus for new customers signing up via their link, automatically applying the promo code; requires a £10 qualifying bet on sports, with free bets expiring in seven days.
- Arsenal’s recent form includes a 1-0 EFL Cup semi-final win over Chelsea via Kai Havertz’s last-gasp goal, keeping a quadruple in contention.
- Injuries for Arsenal: Mikel Merino (foot, possibly out for season), Bukayo Saka (hip), Martin Odegaard (niggle, hopeful return); for Sunderland: Granit Xhaka (ankle), Bertrand Traore (knee), Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle).
- Head-to-head: Arsenal lead with 63 wins to Sunderland’s 50 from 155 meetings; Gunners unbeaten in last 13 against Black Cats.
- Prediction from Sports Mole: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland, citing Black Cats’ away woes and high shots conceded.
- Match kick-off: 3pm GMT, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Emirates Stadium.
Emirates Stadium, London (North London News) February 6, 2026 – Arsenal face Sunderland in a Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday, as Mikel Arteta’s side aim to extend their six-point lead at the summit. The Gunners, fresh from a dominant 4-0 victory over Leeds United, host a resurgent Black Cats team under Régis Le Bris that sits eighth following a convincing 3-0 win against Burnley. Betting enthusiasts can claim a £50 bonus using the Betfred promo code upon signing up via the promotional link.
- Key Points
- Who Are the Key Figures in This Title Race Clash?
- What Is Arsenal’s Recent Form and Injury Situation?
- How Has Sunderland Performed Under Le Bris Lately?
- What Does the Head-to-Head History Tell Us?
- What Are the Betting Promotions and Predictions?
- When and Where Is the Match Taking Place?
- Why Is This Game Crucial for Both Teams?
Who Are the Key Figures in This Title Race Clash?
Mikel Arteta has guided Arsenal to an impressive campaign, with the team now unbeaten in 43 successive Premier League home games against newly-promoted clubs, matching Chelsea’s record from 2001-2015, as detailed in Sports Mole’s preview by Barney Corkhill.
Arteta’s men recently defied doubters with a merciless 4-0 demolition of Leeds despite injuries to Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka, according to the same report. On the visitors’ side, Régis Le Bris has transformed Sunderland since their promotion via the 2025 play-off final win over Sheffield United, positioning them as a surprise package in eighth place.
As reported by PA in ESPN coverage, Sunderland’s recent form includes triumphs in three of their last four games, though away form remains a concern with no wins in seven top-flight road trips. Le Bris, quoted in Tribune coverage by an unnamed reporter, emphasised realism post-Burnley:
“For me, the target remains the same. The first target is around 40 points, maybe more. The league is tough. For us, go to 40 and see if we can get more.”
What Is Arsenal’s Recent Form and Injury Situation?
Arsenal’s Premier League form reads W-W-D-D-L-W, with an all-competitions streak of D-W-L-W-W-W, per Sports Mole analysis. They secured a EFL Cup final spot with a 1-0 second-leg win over Chelsea, courtesy of Kai Havertz’s last-gasp tap-in, keeping a potential quadruple alive. The Gunners also edged Kairat 3-2 in the Champions League despite a top-vs-bottom matchup.
Injuries plague Arteta’s squad: Merino faces a potential season absence with a foot issue, Saka is sidelined by a hip problem from the Leeds warm-up, and captain Odegaard nurses a niggle though Arteta hopes for his return, as per Barney Corkhill of Sports Mole. Possible lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Jesus, Trossard.
How Has Sunderland Performed Under Le Bris Lately?
Sunderland’s Premier League form is D-D-L-W-L-W, improving to D-L-W-W-L-W across all competitions. Their latest was a 3-0 Monday Night Football rout of Burnley, with Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi scoring and Axel Tuanzebe own goal sealing it, lifting them to eighth, three points off sixth-placed Liverpool.
Despite this, away woes persist—no wins in seven since a 2-1 over Chelsea—and they concede the third-most shots league-wide despite only 26 goals against.
Le Bris, who won EFL Championship Manager of the Month in August 2024, has no need to tweak the XI that beat Burnley, featuring ex-Arsenal youth Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey, per Sports Mole. Possible lineup: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Le Fee, Diarra, Sadiki, Talbi; Brobbey. Absences include skipper Granit Xhaka (ankle, out for month), Traore (knee), Ta Bi (ankle); Omar Alderete limped off but is expected fit.
What Does the Head-to-Head History Tell Us?
Arsenal hold a 63-50 edge over Sunderland from 155 meetings, with 42 draws, according to Evening Standard’s match preview by an unnamed author.
The Gunners are unbeaten in the last 13 encounters, winning nine and drawing four, with Sunderland’s last win in the 2011-12 FA Cup. No Black Cats away win at Arsenal since 2002’s League Cup at Highbury, and none at league leaders since 1983.
Notable: Sunderland’s 1972-73 FA Cup semi-final 2-1 upset as a Second Division side, and a 2-2 home draw this season. Arsenal did the 2016-17 double 6-1 aggregate.
What Are the Betting Promotions and Predictions?
Betfred’s promo, as outlined in Goal.com by betting experts, grants £50 free bets for a £10+ qualifying sports bet within seven days of registration using debit card; includes 3x £10 free bets and 2x £10 accumulators, expiring in seven days, 18+ only. Squawka Bet highlights it as the best UK welcome offer for flexibility across sports.
Predictions favour Arsenal: Sports Mole’s Barney Corkhill forecasts 2-0, citing Sunderland’s road struggles. Evening Standard tips Arsenal 3-0. Odds from older previews show Arsenal heavy favourites at 1.48 vs Sunderland’s 8.40.
When and Where Is the Match Taking Place?
The fixture kicks off at 3pm GMT on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Emirates Stadium, London, as confirmed by Evening Standard. Arsenal fans will don red and white before switching to support against Liverpool on Sunday, per Sports Mole. TV and stream details are available via standard channels, with betting live via Betfred.
Why Is This Game Crucial for Both Teams?
For Arsenal, a win extends their lead to nine points, especially with rivals like Aston Villa losing to Brentford and Tottenham drawing City recently. It tests their quadruple chase amid injuries. Sunderland eye Europe, five points off top four, but Le Bris prioritises survival at 40 points. A victory would mark the first promoted side to beat Arsenal and Chelsea same season.
This matchup pits title tightenning against surprise ascent, with Betfred enhancing fan engagement.
