Sunderland vs. Arsenal: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Arsenal will be keen to make amends when they meet relegation-threatened Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. It's a game with potentially key implications for both the top and bottom of the Premier League table.

The Gunners are second, but missed the chance to go top last week when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium. As for Sunderland, the Black Cats sit bottom and already appear set for what's become an annual scrap to fend off relegation.

Before a preview, here are the schedule and viewing details for the game that will begin Saturday's action:

Date: Saturday, October 29

Time: 12:30 p.m. (BST) / 7:30 a.m. (ET)

TV: Sky Sports 1 / NBCSN

Live Stream: Sky Go. NBC Sport App.

Preview

Arsenal need goals after uncharacteristically drawing a blank last week. It was only the second time all season the Gunners have been blanked in front of goal.

Unfortunately for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, his options up front have been thinned by injuries. Summer signing Lucas Perez is reportedly facing six weeks out with an ankle issue, according to Fred Nathan of the Sun.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Meanwhile, youngster Chuba Akpom will also be unavailable, after the 21-year-old was ruled out with a back injury, per Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent.

Of course, those players are back-up options, but any more injuries will test Arsenal's depth up front. It would be a blow considering the Gunners boast arguably the best forward line in England's top flight.

Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott have been in electric form. Their lightning pace and fluid movement have been confusing defenders and stretching teams to breaking point.

The form of Sanchez and Walcott is bad news for a Sunderland squad that's leaked 16 goals already, per the division's official site.

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Wenger should continue with his trusted attack, even though target man Olivier Giroud has made his comeback from injury. The Frenchman is a static figure, most adept operating with his back to goal. But Arsenal's game is slower when the former Montpellier man is leading the line. 

Wenger's biggest call won't be up front, though. It will depend on whether or not to risk midfield gem Santi Cazorla, who is a major doubt, per MailOnline's Sami Mokbel. The Spanish pass-master missed the draw with Boro, and Arsenal's game suffered.

Wenger's team needs the 31-year-old schemer, who may be the squad's most underrated member, according to Squawka:

The Gunners play a more forward-thinking game with Cazorla available. His combination with stylish playmaker Mesut Ozil is also vital to the way Arsenal create chances:

By contrast, Sunderland's attacking options are limited. The club will no doubt once again count on 34-year-old Jermain Defoe to get goals.

Defoe has lost none of his knack for finding the net, despite his years. Yet Arsenal are one of his "least-favoured opponents," according to Will Rickson of Sky Sports, who also noted how Defoe last scored a league goal against the Gunners in November 2004.

Defoe will be attempting to snap the streak against an Arsenal defence solidified by the rapport between centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi, in front of goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Sunderland held the Gunners goalless in this fixture last season, a 0-0 draw. Manager David Moyes would no doubt consider a repeat a major success, but Arsenal's bid to be taken seriously as title contenders demands winning these games.