Arsenal vs Sunderland: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
The last four of the Carabao Cup awaits the winner as Arsenal welcome League One Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side are in a rich vein of form after three straight victories following their dismal defeat at Everton earlier this month, lifting them up to fourth place in the Premier League.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are five points off top spot in League One after their 1-1 draw with Ipswich at the weekend extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games.
Here’s everything you need to know about the clash.
When is kick off? Tuesday 21 December, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Emirates Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Football (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel, Carabao Cup on Quest (UK)
Referee? Simon Hooper
Arteta confirmed both Albert-Sambi Lokonga and Pablo Mari will miss the game after they tested positive for Covid-19.
Back-up goalkeeper Bernd Leno has returned to the squad after injury, while Takehiro Tomiyasu is likely to be rested after he was forced off with a problem in the win over Leeds.
You can read Arsenal’s predicted lineup here.
Winger Leon Dajaku is likely to miss the trip to London after he was substituted just before the interval in the draw with Ipswich at the weekend.
Luke O’Nien and Aiden McGeady are long-term absences for the Black Cats, while former Spurs defender Dennis Cirkin (hernia) and Corry Evans (calf) will not feature.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their previous 11 meetings with Sunderland prior to their relegation from the Premier League in 2017.
Arsenal have won eight out of their last 10 games against the Black Cats all in competitions, last tasting defeat against their midweek opponents back in the FA Cup in 2012 when Kieran Richardson and an Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain own goal sun Arsene Wenger’s men.
Arteta is likely to field a heavily rotated lineup with his side’s Boxing Day clash with fellow European chasers Wolves looming on the horizon.
Equally, the Spaniard will view the Carabao Cup as a good opportunity to target a trophy for his growing side after tasting FA Cup success in 2020.
With home advantage, the Gunners should have enough to see off their League One opponents.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland