Afternoon all. So, after a break for the FA Cup, the Premier League has returned, with seven matches being played today. Here, we will be covering Arsenal's home clash with Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, with both sides needing the three points.

Before we get into the reasons why this is such a big clash, the teams news from North London is starting to filter through. We will start with the home side, who have a big omission...

ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Arteta, Rosicky; Wilshere, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gnabry, Sanogo, Bendtner

So, the big news for the Gunners is that Mesut Ozil misses out altogether. Speaking to Sky Sports News just now, manager Arsene Wenger said of the German: "Ozil has a thigh problem, a bruise. He is not available today." Elsewhere, Olivier Giroud has been restored as the lone striker, while Lukas Podolski has replaced his compatriot Ozil. Mikel Arteta has been included in the midfield after sitting out the defeat to Bayern Munich, while Nacho Monreal deputises for the injured Kieran Gibbs at left-back.

And now for the visiting Wearsiders...

SUNDERLAND XI: Mannone; Bardsley, O'Shea, Vergini, Alonso; Johnson, Bridcutt, Ki, Colback, Borini; Altidore

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Larsson, Gardner, Celustka, Giaccherini, Cuellar, Scocco, Ustari

With Wes Brown suspended, Gus Poyet has kept faith with January signing Santiago Vergini at centre-back. The Argentine will partner captain John O'Shea at centre-back. Further forward, Liam Bridcutt will continue in the heart of the Sunderland midfield, while Jozy Altidore will feature as a lone striker, with Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson offering support from wide roles.

The big question is - who is this game more important for? To be honest, it's hard to split. They both need the three points, albeit for very different reasons. Arsenal have their first Premier League title in mind since 2004, while Sunderland are desperate to retain their top-flight status.

For Arsenal, this match is all about bouncing back. Following the red card that was issued to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Bayern cruised to a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night. It's left their hopes of advancing in the Champions League hanging by a thread. With that in mind, today will be a real test of the current Arsenal side's mental strength. Previous Wenger teams may have crumbled, but this one are determined to prove that they are made of sterner stuff.

Of course, the home side may have an added incentive come the start of this clash. Leaders Chelsea are playing Everton right now and the match is in the closing stages, with the score level at 0-0. If it stays like that, the Blues will move two points clear of Arsenal, meaning that a win against Sunderland would move them top. You can follow the final few minutes of that game here.

As for Sunderland, they may have a bit more than just this match on their minds. Next weekend, the Black Cats will be walking out at Wembley for the League Cup final against Manchester City. It will be interesting to see what that does to Poyet's players. Will they be concerned about injuries, considering that some of them have never played in a final at Wembley before?

In terms of today, Sunderland go into the contest 18th. However, a win would see them move out of the relegation zone, until at least Crystal Palace take on Manchester United later today.

A player that knows all about Arsenal is Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone, who spent seven years at the Emirates Stadium up until the summer when he joined the Black Cats. Here is what he said to the club's official website earlier this week about his return to familiar surroundings:

"It's another great game to play in, and to have the chance to go back there with a chance to play and be involved in this kind of game is great. I grew up as a player at Arsenal and it will be emotional."

GOAL! Bad news for Arsenal because deep into stoppage Chelsea have broken the deadlock against Everton at Stamford Bridge. The away side failed to clear a deep cross into their area and were punished by skipper John Terry at the back post. If the Blues hold out, they will be four points clear of Arsenal, who now must beat Sunderland.

And there goes the final whistle in West London. So, as it stands, Chelsea are four points clear at the summit. You can take a look at an updated table here.

There was always pressure on Arsenal going into this match, but it's been cranked up a notch now. If they were to lose, they will end the weekend four points behind leaders Chelsea. What's more, if Manchester City and Liverpool were to win their respective clashes, the Gunners would drop down to fourth. It's fair to say that this match just got even bigger for the home team.

PREDICTION: So, with 10 minutes to go until we get started at the Emirates, let's have a stab at guessing the outcome of this clash. In terms of the league positions, there should only be one winner. Having said that, the Premier League has shown so often this season that upsets can happen. Today, though, the League Cup final next weekend could have a negative impact on the Sunderland players. They simply won't want to suffer an injury that will rule them out of the showpiece event. It might not be pretty, but Arsenal should squeeze through. Let's go for a 1-0 win with Giroud putting his recent problems off the pitch behind him by scoring.

Before this match gets started, Dennis Bergkamp will be introduced to the crowd. The Dutchman, who served the Gunners so well, has just had a statue of himself unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium. What Wenger would give to have him in his starting lineup today!

And here come the current Arsenal side alongside their Sunderland counterparts. They are given a big ovation from the home fans, who no doubt recognise the importance of this clash for their side.

KICKOFF! The hosting Gunners, attacking from left to right, get us started at the Emirates. Big 90 minutes ahead for both teams, that's for sure.

As you'd expect, Arsenal have dominated the possession during the opening exchanges, but Sunderland are keeping a good shape. It's making it hard for the home side to break through them, which could be a sign of the type of contest that we could have in front us.

That good shape I was just talking about, well that's disappeared! Jack Wilshere simply waltzes through the Sunderland midfield unopposed, before collecting a short pass from Tomas Rosicky. The England midfielder then picks out Giroud inside the area, who calmly rolls the ball beyond an advancing Mannone from 10 yards out. That's just the start that Arsenal were looking for and it's lifted a lot of the nerves.

SAVE! More poor defending from Sunderland as they fail to clear Monreal's cross from the left. The ball drops to Santi Cazorla on the edge of the area and having taken a touch, the Spaniard shoots low. Mannone is behind it all the way, though, and he gets down well to hold.

The amount of space that Sunderland are affording Arsenal is really quite surprising. The visiting defence and midfield are just sitting back, which is inviting on the pressure. Whether it's a tactic from Poyet or just the players going into their shells, who knows? Either way, it's not working because the hosts are cruising right now.

SAVE! Good reflexes from Szczesny as Sunderland make a rare venture forward. Ki plays in Alonso down the left flank and the Spaniard instantly curls in a low cross. It deflects off Laurent Koscielny and was heading into the net until the Arsenal goalkeeper readjusted his body to thwart the danger. Nevertheless, that's more positive from Sunderland.

SAVE! Injuries have hampered Arsenal's Podolski this season, but he's just shown that he is nearing full fitness with a stinging drive. He's picked out by Wilshere on the edge of the box and the German unleashes an instant strike goalwards. Mannone is there to save, but he can only palm the ball over the top, with the resultant corner coming to nothing.

Everything has gone a little flat at the Emirates. The crowd are quiet and the players are failing to inspire them on the pitch. Arsenal are seeing all of the ball, but they are not doing too much with it.

SAVE! Routine work for Mannone, as he crouches down to collect Rosicky's bouncing shot from 25 yards out. Right now, that's where most of Arsenal's shots are coming from.

For the second time this afternoon Sunderland have shot themselves in the foot and it could well be game over now. Having collected a pass from Phil Bardsley, Vergini attempts to give the ball back to Mannone from the right hand side of the area without looking. Giroud pounces to intercept and then he shows good composure again to roll the ball into the net. With a mistake like that, Wes Brown's place is probably secure when his suspension ends!

CHANCE! It's a free kick to Arsenal 20 yards from goal, which Arteta flicks into the path of Podolski. He gets plenty of power behind his shot, but the wall rushes out quickly to do its job and block the path of the ball.

This is just far too easy for Arsenal at the moment. Wilshere in particular is enjoying himself in the centre of the pitch because he is being afforded so much space. At this rate, it won't be long until the hosts add a third goal.

There is number three and what a goal it was. Rosicky first exchanges passes with Wilshere, before threading the ball through to Giroud. He, in turn, plays in the Czech Republic midfielder, who with Mannone rushing out, lifts the ball into the net with the deftest of finishes. That's some team goal, although the defending once again wasn't great, it must be said.

There will be one additional minute at the end of this first half.

Marriner blows for the break and the home team are cheered off by their supporters. They've blown away their opponents during the first 45 minutes.

Regardless of how badly Sunderland have played, Arsenal have made the most of their chances. There has been real purpose about their passing and movement, which even an in-form Sunderland would have struggled to cope with. It's lifted the gloom from Wednesday night and no doubt Wenger will be demanding that his players replicate that performance after the restart.

Where do you start with Sunderland?! If there was any doubt if the League Cup final would hamper them, that was put to bed early on. They've stood off their opponents and at times even looked a little scared to put in a tackle. It's clear that their minds are on Wembley, so it could get even worse for them after the restart.

Barring a miracle, this game has gone for Sunderland. What's more, a quick scout of their bench doesn't provide you with much hope of a revival. So, perhaps the best that they can hope for is avoiding defeat during the second 45 minutes. That will, if nothing else, restore some pride.

RESTART! Sunderland get us back underway and they've made two changes during the interval. Sebastian Larsson and Emanuele Giaccherini have replaced Altidore and Johnson. There's also been a switch for Arsenal, with the injured Monreal off and in his place comes Carl Jenkinson. That will probably see Sagna switch to left-back.

SAVE! Better from Sunderland as Larsson sends a low pass into the area for a sprinting Borini, who tries his luck from a narrow angle. There is plenty of power in the shot and it forces Szczesny to turn the ball over the bar. Unfortunately for the away team, the resultant corner comes to nothing.

BOOKING! By no means is a caution a good thing, but at least it's a sign that Sunderland are putting a bit more effort in during this second half. The first player to go in the book is substitute Giaccherini for tugging back Giroud by the shirt.

More shocking defending from Sunderland and on this occasion Bardsley is the culprit. He's marking Koscielny as Cazorla prepares to take a corner from the right, but as Arsenal's French centre-back sprints to the near post, Bardsley just watches him, which leaves Koscielny with the most simple header to make it 4-0. This is becoming a horror show for the away side.

We've just had a stoppage in play as Giroud hit the deck following a challenge with O'Shea. It looks like a back problem, but the Arsenal striker is up on his feet, albeit a tad gingerly.

SUBSTITUTION: A second change for Arsenal and it's another injury-forced one. Goalscorer Koscielny limps off and is replaced by Mathieu Flamini, who moves to left-back, while Sagna goes in to play alongside Per Mertesacker at centre-back.

SAVE! Smart stop from Szczesny, who has been a spectator for most of this match. Larsson heads the ball across the face of the Arsenal goal for an onrushing Ki. His shot is low and towards the bottom corner, but Arsenal's Polish keeper does well to turn the ball around the post.

SUBSTITUTIONS: A change for both teams as another Arsenal goalscorer, Rosicky, is replaced by young German Serge Gnabry. As for Sunderland, Scocco has taken the place of Ki.

SAVE! Almost an instant impact from Gnabry as he raids into the Sunderland box unchallenged. However, in the action of shooting, the German slips, which takes the power out of his shot and Mannone is able to save with relative ease.