SUNDERLAND (H) | BEFORE THE WHISTLE | BIG VIK, NEWLY CROWNED KING! | MEMBERS

On deck:

• The stranglehold: Matt demands a brutal crackdown on Sunderland. We discuss why a standard win is not enough and why Arsenal must seize this particular moment to end the title race.

• Believe your eyes: Johnny sends out a rallying cry to the ‘scarred’ fanbase. It’s time to let go of the trauma of 2023 and accept that this team is built differently – and ready to love you back.

• Big Vik’s crown: We respond to the latest news from Viktor Gyökeres winning Player of the Month. Has the Swede finally silenced the doubters and is he evolving into the leader of the front line?

• The merino stroke: A bleak look at the rumors surrounding it Mikel Merinos possible season-ending Lisfranc injury. We discuss the emotional toll on the team and the dream of a return to “Budapest”.

• The wooden cord: Jurriën Hout is fit but vulnerable. We debate whether he is now the most irreplaceable outfield player in the squad and how Arteta manages his minutes to avoid disaster.

• The Anfield Factor: Of Men’s city on the way to Liverpoolwe give our predictions for this weekend’s other big clash and what a result there would mean for Arsenal’s “quadruple” attack.