Arsenal v Sunderland - Barclays Premier League - Saturday 18 August (15:00 GMT)

[Syn]

Arteta on arsenal.com:

“We have to start better than last season, that's for sure,” he told Arsenal Player. “We also have to try to keep players fit for longer than we did last season and not concede as many goals.

“This is all possible and from day one we have to think that we are as good as the other teams. I don't see other teams as better than us, I know my team-mates well.

“If everybody is fit, comfortable and ready for a fight then I think we can handle it.”

Arteta, a transfer deadline-day signing from Everton last summer, enjoyed a superb first season at the Club and quickly endeared himself to the Emirates Stadium faithful. And with a year in north London now under his belt, the Spaniard hopes there is plenty more to come.*

“Every year you are trying to improve your numbers and how you can help the team,” said the midfielder. “We will see what the boss will ask me to do. I always try my best and that won't be different.

“It was a crazy day when I joined the Club. The week before I signed there was a lot going on with the big defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford and suddenly a few players joined on the same day.

“We tried to rebuild very quickly and we did well to get it back but this year we can move forward and everybody has that ambition. I can feel a different atmosphere, the Club is stable and the fans are excited. That is what we need.”

[LDG]

Arteta

[LDG]

There is nobody better. Than Mikel Arteta.

[Cripps_orig]

Arteta

Hes right.

Lets fuck this MON ****s up and start off with a bang

We're doing this.

[Marc Overmars]

Podolski hattrick in this tbf.

[GP]

Podolski hattrick in this tbf.

The OG will score I reckon.

Cazorla to get 11 assists.

[LDG]

I just wanna here that "Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal" chant. That one where we have our backs to the wall, and everyone is just shouting it.

It was like that against Milan. Never heard it so noisy.

Come on Arsenal

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal v Sunderland

It appears that Arsenal are about to begin life without Robin van Persie.
It feels like the start of a new era but, if you think about it, it also feels like they have to sell their star player every year.
That makes it very difficult for them to win the Premier League and, again, they are not title contenders this time. The wait for a first title since 2005 most likely goes on.
But, on the bright side, I think they will again finish in a Champions League spot, and they should also make a decent start to the season because this year they have done their shopping a bit earlier.
Sunderland are still trying to put the finishing touches to their squad, especially up front. They have had a few bids for Steven Fletcher turned down so I think it was a clever move to go for Louis Saha.
They now have Connor Wickham, Stephane Sessegnon and Saha as their main strikers - and I think they will eventually get Fletcher too.
The future looks good for them this season under Martin O'Neill, but I don't see them getting anything out of Arsenal here.
Prediction: 2-0

Lawro

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Koscielny out with a calf strain?! How many more times will he be out with a fucking calf injury? He seems to get an injury after every bloody game. Made of glass i swear.

[GP]

He played 42 games last season, that's pretty good.