Gary Neville has backed Sunderland to frustrate Premier League leaders Arsenal this weekend and even spoil their bid for a new club record.
Mikel Arteta’s side will attempt to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points on Saturday evening when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face in-form Sunderland.
Arsenal have won ten games in a row in all competitions and conceded just three games all season.
The Gunners claimed their eighth successive clean sheet with a 3-0 win over Champions League rivals Slavia Prague in midweek and another against Sunderland would break a club record set back in 1903.
But Neville expects Arsenal to fall narrowly short of that record and even believes the league leaders will be held to a draw against impressive Sunderland.
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Sunderland were widely tipped for relegation before the season started but Regis Le Bris’ side have lost just two of their first ten games to sit fourth ahead of Saturday’s visit of Arsenal.
The Black Cats, led by ex-Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka, drew 1-1 with Everton last time out following a memorable win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Discussing Arsenal’s trip to Sunderland on The Overlap, ex-Lionesses star Jill Scott said: ‘You know what I’ve got a feeling for Sunderland… the Stadium of Light is bouncing. Do you think we could get something?’
Neville responded: ‘They’re awkward Sunderland, aren’t they? I’ll go with 1-1. I don’t really know why I’ve done that – I fancy Arsenal but Sunderland are tough there.’
Addressing Arsenal legend Ian Wright, Neville added: ‘Wrighty, what are you thinking ahead of the weekend? Your team are going well…’
Wright said: ‘We are. We’re playing well. I’m going 2-0 Arsenal.’
Whatever the outcome at the Stadium of Light, Arsenal fans will quickly turn their attentions to Manchester City’s huge Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
Currently second and third respectively, Man City and Liverpool will both be keen to keep the pressure on an Arsenal side threatening to run away with the title race.
Turning his attentions to the Etihad Stadium clash, Wright added: ‘A draw would be a good result for Arsenal but I think Man City will beat Liverpool.
‘I just look at Liverpool’s defence this season and the way Erling Haaland is blasting past teams.’
Neville and Paul Scholes, meanwhile, said they have ‘no strong feelings’ on the match but backed Liverpool to continue their resurgence with a narrow win.
Liverpool’s title defence looked in tatters as they lose four league games in a row last month, but Arne Slot’s side appear to have turned a corner.
The Reds ended a four-game losing run in the Premier League against Aston Villa before beating Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Liverpool are hoping to retain the Premier League trophy under Slot, who won the title in his first season after replacing legendary manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
But the defending champions are already seven points adrift of Arsenal, who are hoping to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.
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