Key events
The Premier League is sponsoring the Together against Suicide campaign this weekend. Barney Ronay has penned a column that, well, you simply must read.
The fact is, it’s hard to be a man at any age. Or at least, it’s hard in a way that is distinct from other forms of hardness. And yes this statement might fail to draw an overwhelming wave of sympathy, but this is part of the problem. Pain comes for everyone. There’s no hierarchy of suffering. And male pain, male alienation is often carried around like a dead weight for exactly this reason.
“They are the best team in Europe,” said Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris yesterday, not of their midweek opponents Hull but of Arsenal. He is looking forward to today’s test ahead of the start of Sunderland’s Europa League campaign next week.
They are the best team in Europe at the minute and they have good momentum as well. We can’t get complacent otherwise it is finished very quickly. If you think that you are already a European team, it’s going to be a big problem.
They are flying right now and they have many threats on the pitch but we have a good team as well. It is a good challenge and we need these challenges to get better.
Starting lineups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka; Meunier, Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey
Subs: Ellborg, Hume, O’Nien, Alderete, Methalie, Talbi, Rigg, Fofana, Isidor
Regis Le Bris makes no changes from the 1-1 draw with Brentford. Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka captains Sunderland as usual. Former Spurs defender Kevin Danso is in the centre of defence while new signing Malick Fofana is on the bench.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Ødegaard, Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapié, Eze, Timber, Gyökeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Guimarães
Mikel Arteta also keeps the same XI from the win against Chelsea. Former Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães is spared the wrath of the Stadium of Light to start with – he’s on the bench. Max Dowman is absent after playing for Arsenal’s under-21s in their defeat to Chelsea this afternoon.
It is goalless between Tottenham and Everton a few minutes into the second half. Thierno Barry has just threatened an opener.
James Wallace has updates on that one here …
Today’s Premier League scores and reports
Chelsea 2-2 Hull
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham
Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace 2-3 Ipswich
Bournemouth 2-2 Brentford
Preamble
Yes, there is more Premier League action today. Arsenal are looking to maintain their 100% start to the season as champions as they take on Sunderland at a ground where they were held to a 2-2 draw last season. Mikel Arteta’s side were in Italy in midweek, escaping from Naples with a 1-0 win, while their hosts on Wearside this evening also won 1-0 at home to Hull in the Carabao Cup.
The Stadium of Light is entering a new era over the next few days as Sunderland host European football for the first time in 53 years – AZ Alkmaar visit here next Wednesday in the Europa League. This evening, Arsenal come up against the familiar face of Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, who was of course suspended the last time they won here in October 2016.
Stay tuned to hear how Arteta has been hardening his Arsenal players up for uncomfortable occasions like this, including making the dressing room hotter and delaying the team meals. I have been preparing myself in similar fashion, foregoing dinner to keep me sharp for minute-by-minute coverage. Feel free to get in touch via email as the game progresses. Kick-off is 8pm BST.
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