Five Key Battles that will decide Sunderland vs Arsenal

Arsenal will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League when they visit the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland at the weekend.

The Gunners haven’t lost since their 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on the opening day - a run which stretches to 13 matches in all competitions.

Arsene Wenger’s side missed their chance to go top last weekend after they only managed a 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough when Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

Arsenal could be without key players Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal, as well as top scorer Theo Walcott, but it's likely they will continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation which has already brought them so much success this season.

Sunderland are currently in 20th and have yet to win this season. David Moyes will be doing all he can to secure a result after being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Southampton midweek.

With both sides desperate for all three points, it could well come down to which team dominates the key individual battles. We've taken a look at FIVE that will decide the outcome in Saturday's early kickoff.

JERMAIN DEFOE VS SHKRODAN MUSTAFI

If anybody is going to get a goal for Sunderland, it’s Jermain Defoe.

The 34-year-old is likely to be fielded up front on his own while the rest of the side play a lot deeper to try and frustrate Arsenal.

While Laurent Koscielny prefers to bring the ball up the pitch, Mustafi will be tasked with making sure nothing gets through.

How well the German deals with Defoe will have a big say on whether Arsenal keep a clean sheet.

AARON RAMSEY VS DIDIER N’DONG

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With Santi Cazorla likely not be risked, Aaron Ramsey could come into the Gunners midfield.

The Welshman doesn’t have the same eye for a pass as the Spaniard but can provide a different type of threat with his late runs in the box.

Didier N’Dong will likely be the man tasked with harrying Arsenal’s engine room and will have to keep an eye on the box-to-box midfielder.

Ramsey has missed Arsenal’s last eight league matches and will be looking to make up for lost time.

DUNCAN WATMORE VS KIERAN GIBBS

With Nacho Montreal a doubt, it is likely we’ll see Kieran Gibbs given a run out.

The 27-year-old has missed large chunks of the last couple of seasons but looks a more confident player these days, performing well when called upon.

Duncan Watmore is one of the few Sunderland players who looks capable of going forward and making things happen at the moment, so Gibbs will have to be at his best.

OLIVIER GIROUD VS LAMINE KONE

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Should Theo Walcott not be fit to start the game, Alexis Sanchez may have to relinquish his role up front and play on the right.

If that happens, we can expect to see Olivier Giroud up front. The Frenchman has only played 52 minutes of Premier League football this season after struggling with a foot injury and fatigue after Euro 2016.

Lamine Kone's ability to deal with Giroud’s threat could mean the difference between a draw and a heavy defeat, with the tall striker managing 16 goals last season.