PREVIEW: League leaders Arsenal look to go nine points clear with win over Sunderland

Table-toppers Arsenal host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with the opportunity to go nine points clear of second place Man City. The Gunners responded to their first home defeat of the season with a resounding 3-1 win over Aston Villa, and will be looking to build on that momentum as they welcome the Black Cats to North London. Arsenal's impressive form has seen them dominate the Premier League so far, with their attacking flair and solid defense making them a formidable force.

Sunderland, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency this season, and currently sit in the lower half of the table. Despite their best efforts, they have been unable to string together a run of wins, and will need to be at their best if they are to take anything from the Emirates Stadium. The Black Cats have a history of causing upsets, however, and will be looking to draw inspiration from their past victories over top-tier teams. Arsenal will need to be wary of Sunderland's pace on the counter-attack, and will require a strong defensive performance to nullify the threat of their opponents.

The Gunners will be boosted by the return of several key players from injury, including their star midfielder who has been missing for several weeks. The team's depth and quality have been key factors in their success so far, and they will be looking to rotate their squad and keep players fresh for the busy festive period. With Man City not in action until Sunday, Arsenal have the chance to put pressure on their title rivals and extend their lead at the top of the table. A win over Sunderland would be a significant statement of intent, and would send a clear message to the rest of the Premier League that they are the team to beat.

The Emirates Stadium is expected to be electric on Saturday, with a sold-out crowd cheering on the home team. The atmosphere will be intense, and Sunderland will need to be prepared to face a barrage of attacks from the outset. Arsenal's fans will be expecting a dominant performance from their team, and anything less than three points would be considered a disappointment. With the title race heating up, every game is crucial, and Arsenal will be looking to take a significant step towards glory with a win over Sunderland.

Arsenal's manager will be looking to make a few tactical adjustments to his team, with the aim of exploiting Sunderland's weaknesses and catching them off guard. The Gunners have been working on their set pieces in training, and will be looking to use these to their advantage on Saturday. With their opponents likely to park the bus and defend deeply, Arsenal will need to be patient and clever in their approach, using their creative players to unlock the Sunderland defense.