The quarter-finals of the EFL Cup take place this week. On Tuesday, Arsenal welcome Sunderland – the lowest-ranked team in the competition – to the Emirates Stadium.
Sunderland sit third in the League One table – four points behind first-place Rotherham United and seven points inside the play-off places.
We know you'll want to watch this again 🍿 So get it on repeat! #LEEARS | Match highlights 📺 pic.twitter.com/rRV462pDfX— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2021
We know you'll want to watch this again 🍿 So get it on repeat! #LEEARS | Match highlights 📺 pic.twitter.com/rRV462pDfX
Meanwhile, Arsenal find themselves fourth in the Premier League standings – four points clear of fifth-place West Ham United.
Mikel Arteta’s side head into Tuesday’s quarter-final on the back of a thumping 4-1 victory over Leeds United.
Gabriel Martinelli bagged a first-half brace before Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe completed the rout in the second half. Arsenal’s youngsters are flying at the moment.
The Gunners have won each of their last three Premier League matches, scoring nine goals while keeping two clean sheets.
They have also won seven of their previous ten Premier League outings and have lost just three of their past 15.
Arsenal have enjoyed an easy route to the EFL Cup quarter-finals, dispatching West Bromwich Albion (6-0), AFC Wimbledon (3-0) and Leeds United (2-0) without conceding a single goal.
On the flip side, Sunderland beat Port Vale (2-1) in the first round before edging out Blackpool (3-2) in round two.
The Black Cats then secured a third-round victory over Wigan Athletic (2-0) before beating Queens Park Rangers on penalties to booked their spot in the last eight.
In League One, Sunderland are currently enjoying a seven-match unbeaten streak – having picked up four wins and three draws since their last loss.
They drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town last time out, meaning they have lost just five of their 22 league games this season.
Head-to-head: Arsenal are unbeaten in their past 11 meetings with Sunderland, securing eight wins and three draws during that period.
When you look at the bigger picture, Sunderland have only managed to win one of their last 17 games against the Gunners in all competitions.
Team news: Arsenal are currently without Sead Kolasinac, Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. It is also worth noting that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been training alone.
Sunderland have numerous players sidelined through injury at the moment, including Jordan Willis, Niall Huggins, Denver Hume, Dennis Cirkin, Aiden McGeady and Luke O’Nien.
Sunderland have done well to reach this stage of the competition, but Arsenal should be far too strong for the League One side.
Forebet predicts that Arsenal will score over 1.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way to reaching the semi-finals.