Sunderland v Arsenal
I backed Sunderland to go down on the opening day of the season and I haven't seen anything so far to make me change my mind. Manager Paolo Di Canio has gone through so many players that nobody could tell you their best XI right now.
He criticised some of his players in public after the defeat at Crystal Palace, which I just don't get. In the dressing room that's fine, you can slaughter them all day long - but in public after the third game of the season? I don't understand it at all.
Di Canio added even more players on deadline day. Fabio Borini has come in from Liverpool, but he has got an awful lot to do to prove that he is cut out for the Premier League. He cost Reds boss Brendan Rodgers a lot of money but from what I've seen so far he can't handle it.
John O'Shea is suspended after he was sent off at Palace, and that won't help Sunderland either.
For Arsenal on the other hand, Mesut Ozil is an outstanding piece of business. He is a similar signing to Dennis Bergkamp in terms of stature - it is that big for Arsenal. Just look at the noises coming out of Real Madrid - they can't believe they let Ozil go.
I expect he will play just off Olivier Giroud but he's not a luxury number 10 - he will work his socks off for the team. Everyone knows how many chances and goals he will create and he has a great attitude to go with it.
At the start of the season, there was no way Arsenal could possibly challenge for the title. Now - with Ozil - I think they can. I don't think they will win it but they can mount a challenge.
Arsene Wenger also signed a goalkeeper, Emiliano Viviano, which is what they needed to put the pressure on Wojciech Szczesny. Things are looking good at last for Wenger.
Prediction: 0-2
Originally Posted by LDG
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