FA Cup Match Preview : Sunderland vs Arsenal

Martin O’ Neill suffered his first taste of defeat as Sunderland manager last weekend due to the last minute goal from Thierry Henry. However, history will not be repeating again in tonight’s match when both teams met again in within a week.

Sunderland will most probably to field and unchanged team which met Arsenal last week. David Vaughan, Wes Brown & Titus Bramble will continued to be ruled out from playing due to injury.

As for Arsenal, Henry will no longer be available as his loan had already expired and returned to New York Bulls. Arsenal will only have Robin Van Persie as their main attacker. A 4-0 defeat by AC Milan in last Champion League Match has put even greater pressure on the team as they had not won a single silverware for the past few years.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have the chance to play again after begin left out against Milan. However, Laurent Koscielny who had picked up a knee injury during the match with AC Milan may not be playing.

This is a match hard to predict. Both sides have the chance of winning. By taking in the facts of home ground advantage, Sunderland seems to have a higher chance of winning. But my gut feeling for Sunderland to win is not that high. I will go for a draw.