Guinness Made of Black Match of the Weekend: Sunderland vs. Arsenal
Where: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
When: 14:05 (GMT), Sunday April 24
Despite victory over West Bromwich Albion in midweek, only the most optimistic (or deluded) of Arsenal fans would give the Gunners much of a chance of emerging victorious in this engrossing title race.
The North London giants won their 500th Premier League match on Thursday evening, as Alexis Sanchez bagged a double to see off the hapless Baggies.
However, a realist will tell you that regardless of what they achieve between now and the season’s end, Arsenal’s wait for a Premier League title looks set to continue for some time yet.
Hypothetically, should Arsene Wenger’s side win at Sunderland on Sunday, and should Leicester City lose at home against Swansea City later in the day, the North London giants would move seven points behind the unlikely leaders with only three matches left to play.
That would surely be insurmountable, even if Leicester’s last three matches—against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea—are (on paper at least) ominous prospects.
Even if Leicester were to crumble and crack up over the final furlong, it is Tottenham Hotspur, and not their fierce local rivals, who would step into the driving seat and surly take the initiative in the title race.
No, Arsenal surely have more modest title ambitions between now and the season’s end.
For the best part of two decades, Wenger has ensured that Arsenal have featured in the Champions League—claiming their spot among the continent’s elite over a record spell of consistency.
It’s one that few other teams can match, and while it’s a miserable reminder of Arsenal’s underachievement in the UCL, it’s a solid commendation for Wenger’s ability to keep the Gunners competitive in the EPL’s top four…even if a concerted title effort remains elusive.
However, this season, with the matches ticking away, Arsenal are not yet certain of a return to Europe’s premier club competition.
Heading into the weekend’s action, Wenger’s side sit on 63 points after 34 matches, two ahead of fourth-placed Manchester City—who could only manage a draw with Newcastle United earlier in the week—and four above Manchester United.
While the troubled Red Devils have endured a testing campaign under Louis van Gaal, they north-west heavyweights appear to have the bit between their teeth and have won four of their last five matches in the Premier League.
Admittedly, a late tilt for the FA Cup could distract United, but their midweek triumph over Crystal Palace keeps them firmly in the hunt for a return to the Champions League.
While the Red Devils still have to face leaders Leicester and UCL rivals West Ham United before the season’s end, a home match against Bournemouth and a trip to face struggling Norwich City are contests that offer the promise of points aplenty.
Arsenal certainly have a fight on their hands to keep hold of one of the Champions League spots, particularly considering they face City in their penultimate match of the season.
Before that, the North London heavyweights face a potential banana skin on Sunday, when they go up north and meet relegation-battling Sunderland.
Sam Allardyce hasn’t succeeded in dragging the Black Cats away from the relegation zone—as some had expected he might have done—but he has helped Sunderland remain in the hunt for safety.
They have lost only one of their last six matches—only four teams in the division have lost fewer—and gave their survival hopes a major boosts with a convincing 3-0 triumph at fellow relegation-strugglers Norwich City last weekend.
While the Canaries remain above their rivals in 17th spot, Sunderland have a game in hand—and therefore the initiative—in the race to avoid the drop.
However, Big Sam will be concerned by Newcastle United’s positive recent performances against Swansea and Manchester City and will surely harbour hopes of building on last weekend’s victory with a strong home showing against Arsenal.
Guinness weekly winners story:
Augustine Gideon, supports Chelsea - Played min 21 for Chelsea in Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion
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