Opta Stats: Sunderland v Arsenal

9Feb 2013

England - Premier League

If Arsenal are to qualify for next season's Champions League, they have to start winning away games. Sunderland stand in their way.

Arsenal have conceded 62% of their goals in the first half of games - a league high proportion - and conceded fewer in total after the break than any other team (11). Sunderland are 4.5 to be leading by half-time.

Just three of Arsenal's 23 attempts at goal were on target as they drew 0-0 with Sunderland in the reverse fixture at the Emirates earlier this season. Another goal-less draw can be backed at 13.0.

Per Mertesacker injured his ankle ligaments on Sunderland's poor pitch in this fixture last season and the Black Cats took advantage to open the scoring in a 1-2 defeat to the Gunners. A 2-1 Sunderland win this season is available at 16.0.

The Gunners have lost just one of their last nine trips to the north east in the Premier League (W3 D5 L1). Arsenal are 1.93 to pick up a victory on the road.

Arsenal have won 10 and lost just one of their last 18 Premier League games against Sunderland, but they did lose in last season's FA Cup against the Wearsiders at the Stadium of Light. A Sunderland win can be backed at 4.5.

Lukas Podolski has had a hand in 10 goals in his last eight Premier League apps for Arsenal (four goals, six assists). Podolski is 3.25 to score on Saturday.

Sunderland have won just one game against a team in the top half of the table this season (W1 D5 L7). The draw is available at 3.75.

Sunderland's Danny Rose scored his one and only Premier League goal with a tremendous volley on his Premier League debut against Arsenal while playing for Tottenham. Rose is 15.0 to score another against the Gunners.

If only second half performances were taken into account, Arsenal would be 2nd in the Premier League table to Man City on goals scored (49 points each). Arsenal are 1.45 to win a half.

There have been fewer goals scored at the Stadium of Light than at any other Premier League ground (26), in contrast to the most being netted at Arsenal's Stadium the Emirates (51). Under 2.5 goals is 2.02.