Good afternoon everyone! It's proving to be another busy weekend of Premier League action and at the Stadium of Light this afternoon Sunderland and Arsenal will be looking to pick up all three points and bounce back from recent disappointments.

Of course we must start with Sunderland, who were hammered 8-0 by Southampton last weekend. They had gone into the match in good spirits after claiming their first victory of the season before the international break against Stoke City, but a woeful performance led the Black Kits to issue refunds to their fans who had made the trip to St Mary's.

Visitors to the North East this afternoon are an Arsenal side who did not suffer the same level as humiliation as their opponents, but were far from their best against Hull last Saturday. The Gunners had led early on through Alexis Sanchez's strike, but goals from Mohamed Diame and Abel Hernandez put the Tigers 2-1 up. It took them until stoppage time to draw level, as Danny Welbeck slotted home to ensure the points were shared.

Before we go any further, the two managers have announced their teams for this afternoon's match, so let's take a look at who will be starting in just over 50 minutes.

SUNDERLAND XI: Mannone, Vergini, Van Aanholt, O'Shea, Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Buckley, Johnson, Fletcher

ARSENAL XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Sanchez, Welbeck

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Bridcutt, Wickham, Gomez, Reveillere, Altidore, Mavrias, Pantilimon

ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Bellerin, Ramsey, Campbell, Rosicky, Walcott, Podolski

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has made just a couple of changes from the side that were so heavily beaten last weekend. Adam Johnson and Jack Rodwell are the players resorted to the lineup, with Connor Wickham and Jordi Gomez dropping out.

Meanwhile, the visitors have made three changes to the team that beat Anderlecht in midweek. Wojciech Szczesny, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all handed starts, but Lukas Podolski must settle for a place on the bench, despite his late winner in Belgian.

Theo Walcott has not played for the Gunners since rupturing his cruciate ligament in January, but he could be in line for a comeback after being named on the bench. We may also see a Sunderland debut for Anthony Reveillere, who joined the club on a deal until the end of the season on Thursday.

New boy @Reveillere_Off on the bench for #SAFC today pic.twitter.com/eXEgMNRjZW — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 25, 2014

It can't have been an easy week for the Sunderland players after what happened to them last Saturday. They came up against a very good Southampton side who have started the season in great form, but few could have predicted they would have conceded eight goals.

Gus Poyet actually described what happened as the most embarrassing time that he had ever had on a football pitch. The manager also claimed that he learnt a lot about his players and slammed some of them for giving up in the second half. There is no doubt that he will be expecting his players to respond today with a performance that their fans can be proud of.

At the start of the week goalkeeper Vito Mannone had even suggested that he and his teammates should offer refunds to the supporters who made the trip down to Southampton. The club duly obliged and announced that fans who bought a ticket would be reimbursed, with any unclaimed money being donated to a children's hospice.

What made the result a bit more surprising was that the Black Cats had won their first Premier League match of the season in the previous fixture. Prior to that victory against Stoke, they had drawn five of their opening six games and had conceded just six goals.

After such a defeat, one of the last team's you would want to face is Arsenal. However, the Gunners haven't been in great form recently and have gone their last three league games without a win. They have won just two of their opening eight fixtures and are already 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea in the table.

11 - If Arsenal lose to Sunderland they will have half the number of points they had at this stage last season. Misfiring. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 24, 2014

It's not all doom and gloom for Arsene Wenger's side, as they are well placed to make it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 12th consecutive season. Kieran Gibbs and Lukas Podolski struck late on as they came from behind to beat Anderlecht 2-1 and move onto six points in the group. It means they are five points clear of the Belgians and Galatasaray, with their next two games at home.

The Gunners have shown glimpses of their best form including Danny Welbeck's hat-trick against Galatasaray and a 3-0 win against Aston Villa, in which they scored all the goals inside a four minute spell. However, they have still come up short against the best teams in the division and allowed Manchester City to equalise late on in a 2-2 draw, while their sole league defeat came against Chelsea, who proved far too strong in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

They haven't been helped at all by their injury problems this season and you could almost make a decent starting XI out of the players that aren't available. Laurent Koscielny, Mathieu Debuchy, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud would all probably be starting if they were fit, while David Ospina and Yaya Sanogo are also ruled out. It makes the return of Theo Walcott all the more important and could provide a huge boost to their already fading title challenge.

The Stadium of Light has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Arsenal. They have won their last three matches at the ground and are on a nine-match unbeaten run against Sunderland in the Premier League. The last time the Saints tasted success was in the fifth round of the FA Cup in 2012, when a strike from Kieran Richardson and an own-goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave them a 2-0 win.

#Arsenal are just finishing their warm-up. What do you think @m8arteta and Flamini are discussing here?#SFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/zxCKwkeAqi — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 25, 2014

PREDICTION: It is hard to know just what response we will see from Sunderland given their humiliating defeat last weekend. Gus Poyet will demand that his players show more spirit and fight than against Southampton, but their confidence is bound to be suffering. On the contrary, Arsenal will be boosted by their late win over Anderlecht and will see today as a good chance to get their domestic campaign back on track. For that reason I am going to tip the Gunners to win this afternoon, with 2-1 how I see this match finishing.

With kick off fast approaching, make sure you check out what the rest of the team think will happen in today's match with our video preview.

We are just a few minutes away now from the start of the match and both teams have made their way out onto the pitch. Don't forget that we have live coverage from all of this afternoon's matches across the Premier League.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Stadium of Light!

The hosts have made a good start here and they almost fashion a chance early on as Buckley tricks his way past Chambers on the left and gets a cross into the box. His delivery is met by Rodwell, but the midfielder can't quite enough contact on the ball to direct it on target and the Gunners manage to clear.

Arsenal have begun to see plenty of the ball and it seems that this is a pattern likely to continue throughout the afternoon. They are confidently working it between their midfielders, but so far the hosts have kept things tight in the middle and look up for the challenge.

It's all Arsenal at the moment and they have their first chance on goal as Sanchez works some room and let's fly from 25 yards. However, it is not the best of efforts from the Chilean and he ends up dragging the shot well wide of the far post.

You would expect there to be some nerves in the Sunderland backline and Mannone gets away with a mistake after spilling Oxlade-Chamberlain's low cross. Luckily for him, O'Shea is there to clear the ball and save the keeper's blushes.

It is Sunderland's time to cause a moment of panic in the Arsenal defence as they win a corner and get plenty of men forward. The ball is not initially cleared by the Gunners and reaches Brown in the box, but his header from close range is blocked by Monreal.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the Gunners as Welbeck works himself some room on the edge of the box and tries to pick out the top corner. His curling effort is well struck, but the ball ends up dipping just over the crossbar with Mannone well beaten.

You get a feeling that Arsenal are really starting to get into their stride now and they are pushing Sunderland back deep into their own box. Some of the defending is slightly desperate as only a last ditch challenge stops Sanchez being slipped clean through on goal.

Rodwell can consider himself fortune to not pick up at least a yellow card, as he goes in with a crunching challenge on Chambers. Luckily for the Sunderland man he got the ball and just ends up getting a warning from the referee.

YELLOW CARD! Gibbs is the first player to pick up a booking as he brings down Johnson on the left flank. Just moments before the Gunners were complaining about not being awarded a free kick, as Oxlade-Chamberlian appeared to be fouled by Brown just as he looked to play in Sanchez.

Walcott has just been spotted warming up on the sidelines for the Gunners so we may very well be seeing him at some point in this match. The winger's appearances heralds a great reception from the traveling Arsenal fans, who will be looking forward to seeing him back in action again.

Sunderland end up winning a free kick in a decent position just outside the box, after Monreal brings down Buckley. It's Johnson who steps up to take it, but his cross into the middle is poor and fails to beat the first man.

The Gunners have made their dominance in this half pay by taking the lead, but it comes from a huge mistake by Brown. The defender receives the ball on the halfway line and plays it back to the keeper, but his pass is far too short. Sanchez is quickly in to latch onto the ball and he runs through to chip a confident effort over Mannone.

CHANCE! Arsenal are well in control now and they almost grab a second as Cazorla drives forward and lashes in a fierce strike that goes just wide of the far post. After what happened to the Black Cats last weekend, things are already looking bleak for them today.

CHANCE! The Sunderland defence are all at sea and Chambers latches onto a through ball down the right. Mannone comes off his line to close down the angle and he ends up making a decent save to block the full back's effort.

YELLOW CARD! Larsson is the first Sunderland player to pick up a booking this afternoon as he catches Sanchez on the ankle, leaving the Chilean on the floor.

Arsenal are in complete command of this match and you sense that a second goal is not too far away. Their attacking players have linked up brilliantly this afternoon and the home side just can't seem to handle the runs of Sanchez and Welbeck.

There is going to be one minute of stoppage time at the end of the half.

It's half time at the Stadium of Light and Arsenal take a 1-0 lead into the break. A brilliantly taken goal by Sanchez, following a mistake from Brown was just what the Gunners deserved for their first-half display.

© Getty Images

A quick glance at the statistics confirm the dominance that Arsenal have had over their opponents. They have seen all of the ball and have racked up 63% of the possession. They have also had seven shots on goal, compared to three from the hosts. Sunderland have really struggled to pose and threat and none of their attempts have been on target.

Sanchez really has been the man for the big occasion since his summer move to Arsenal. The Chilean has scored some fine efforts already and his strike in the first half has taken him up to four goals in the Premier League.

7 - Alexis Sanchez has scored in seven of his last 11 competitive appearances for Arsenal. Roja. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 25, 2014

There haven't been too many goals in this afternoon's other Premier League matches. Liverpool are currently being held to a goalless draw by Hull City, while Southampton lead 1-0 against Stoke City. Crystal Palace are 2-0 up against West Bromwich Albion, while the day's early match between West Ham United and Manchester City finished in a surprise 2-1 win to the hammers.

The two teams are back out on the pitch and the second half will be getting underway in just a few moments.

Arsenal take the kick off and get the second half started.

It hasn't been a bad start to the half for Sunderland, who are seeing a lot of the ball in more advanced areas of the pitch. They will have to be wary of committing too many men forward though, as the Gunners have shown the threat that they can pose on the break.

YELLOW CARD! Welbeck has been given the first booking of the second half, as the referee adjusts him to have dived over O'Shea.

SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland make their first change of the match, with Fletcher heading off to be replaced by Wickhmam.

CHANCE! The hosts have shown far more attacking intent and they work a decent opening when Rodwell rises to meet Larsson's cross into the box. He makes decent contact with the ball, but can't quite get enough power on his header, which is held by Szczesny.

YELLOW CARD! Arteta is the latest player to go into the referee's notebook after catching Rodwell with a high foot. It was completely accidental from the Spaniard, but he can have no complaints about the booking.

The Gunners haven't threatened too much this half, but they are almost in behind as Sanchez slips Welbeck into the box. The striker is eventually pushed wide and he plays the ball back to Sanchez, who then tries to pick out the run of Flamini at the back post, but his pass is just too long for the Frenchman.

Sunderland have given the ball away cheaply in some dangerous situations today and Van Aanholt makes a hash of a clearance just outside of his own area. The ball falls kindly to Sanchez, who goes for goal with a low effort, but his effort ends up heading straight down the middle and is comfortably held by Mannone.

YELLOW CARD! This game is starting to get a bit heated at the moment and Cattermole rightfully picks up a card as he tries to bring down Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the Arsenal man charging free down the wing.

CHANCE! Sunderland manage a rare effort on target as Larsson picks up the ball in space and lashes in a fierce drive that Szczesny does well to hold onto.

YELLOW CARD! Just a few moments ago Wickham was lucky to avoid a booking for bringing down Arteta from behind. He is not so fortunate though this time around, as he hacks down Chambers and duly picks up a card.

Oxlade-Chamberlain almost sparks the Gunners into life as he charges down the left and towards the byline. He cuts inside and looks to pick out his teammates in the box, but the Sunderland defence manage to head clear.

Over the last couple of minutes Arsenal have just started to regain some of their control of the first half and enjoy their first real sustained spell of possession since the break. A decent move involving Sanchez, Welbeck and Arteta almost comes to fruition, but the home defence hold strong and eventually force them back.

SUBSTITUTION: This isn't a great sign for Arsenal, as Gibbs heads off with what appears to be an injury. Bellerin is on in his place and it will require a reshuffle in the Gunners defence.

SUBSTITUTION: The hosts have made a couple of changes, with Altidore coming on for Johnson and Gomez replacing Rodwell.

The Black Cats are just sensing that there could be something in this for them and at 1-0 down there is every chance for them to claim a point. The fans are still behind them and a huge roar goes around the ground every time they get into their opponents' half.

It hasn't quite been Welbeck's afternoon, but the England international gets a slight glimpse of goal as he is picked out at the near post by Monreal's cross. He gets in front of his marker to meet the delivery, but can only direct his header just wide of the target.

Arsenal are looking a bit edgy at the moment and they are almost caught out as Szczesny comes to the edge of his box to head the ball away. He only manages to clear it to Van Aanholt, who is out wide on the left. The Dutchman then tries his luck with the keeper off his line, but his fierce volleyed effort ends up heading well wide of the far post.

It's end to end at the moment and Van Aanholt almost finds himself through on goal as he charges through the midfield and into the box, before being blocked by a wall of Arsenal defenders. The visitors then break at pace and Welbeck slides in Cazorla down the left. The Spaniard looks to drill a shot across goal and into the far corner, but he doesn't make great contact with the ball and it ends up safely in the keeper's arms.

Arsenal have wasted some real chances to double their lead. At this stage in the game Sunderland are pouring forward in search of a goal, leaving them so much space to exploit. They have a two-on-one situation as Cazorla and Bellerin break, but the move breaks down after the young Spaniard's cross into the box is easily claimed by Mannone.

SUBSTITUTION: Arsenal make their second change of the match, with Ramsey coming on for Arteta.

SUBSTITUTION: The Gunners make their third and final change of the afternoon, with Rosicky coming on for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

A huge roar goes around the ground as four minutes of stoppage time are announced.

It's all over now and it's another horrible mistake from the hosts. Buckley puts Mannone under pressure with a poor back pass and the keeper completely misses his clearance, allowing Sanchez the simple task of slotting the ball into the net.

The final whistle blows and it's Arsenal who have claimed the three points after a 2-0 win over Sunderland. The Black Cats could not respond to last week's defeat and conceded two more shocking goals again.

While it was another day to forget for Sunderland, Arsenal have ended a run of three Premier League games without a victory. It has moved them up to fifth in the table and will surely have given them a boost of confidence.

I'm afraid that's all we've got time for here. Please stay with us for reaction from all of today's games and more live coverage as Swansea City take on Leicester City and Real Madrid face Barcelona in El Clasico. Until next time, goodbye!