Pre-Match Report

U-23s: Sunderland v Arsenal - Preview

THE STORY SO FAR

Our under-23s go into Saturday’s game off the back of a resounding 5-2 win at Reading in their last Premier League 2 fixture.

The Gunners have now not tasted defeat since February 19, a run of four league matches.

With two games of the season remaining, Steve Gatting’s side sit fourth in the table.

They trail third-placed Liverpool by five points, but hold a three-point lead over the chasing Chelsea.
 

THE OPPOSITION

We head to Sunderland with the hosts having failed to win any of their last five league games.

In their previous PL2 fixture, the Black Cats lost 3-0 against Chelsea in a run of four losses out of their last five outings.

Sunderland sit eighth in the table with 22 points from 20 games, a points total which has them just four points off rock-bottom Reading.
 

ONE TO WATCH

Joseph Olowu has made the transition from the under-18 squad to under-23 level over the course of the season.

Olowu has quickly become accustomed to life in PL2, operating alongside captain Ben Sheaf.

A towering physical presence, Olowu is equally adept in the air as he is with the ball.
 

LAST TIME WE MET

When Sunderland visited Meadow Park earlier this campaign we ran out 4-0 victors.

Steph Mavididi opened the scoring from the spot, before Reiss Nelson struck to double our advantage.

Just 10 minutes into the second period Kaylen Hinds added a third, before Chris Willock rounded off the scoring.
 

FROM THE ARCHIVES

 



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