Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this midweek Premier League clash as Arsenal host Sunderland in the last game before the final day of the season. Both sides have plenty still to fight for in the closing week of the campaign and are within touching distance of their respective goals, so we should be in for an interesting encounter in North London this evening. Let's start with a look at the home side...

Arsenal's season will go down as another relatively successful one, with Champions League qualification in the bag for a 19th campaign in a row and the FA Cup final against Aston Villa still to come. The gap between them and Chelsea will worry Wenger, however, and there is little doubt that improvements will need to be made to the Gunners' squad if they are going to push for a first title since 2004 next term.

At times, they have looked like the best team in the league this season. When on top form, the Gunners are capable of playing quick, free-flowing and incisive football, and for a spell in the second half of the campaign they threatened to overhaul Manchester City and finish in second place, which would have been their best position in a decade. That is still a possibility, but it would need Arsenal to win both of their last two games and City to be beaten on the final day, with the gap between the two sides now five points.

Arsenal's main goal right now will be to get over the line in the race for third place, with a solitary point from their final two games likely to be enough in that regard due to their superior goal difference compared to Manchester United. That would seal an automatic route to the Champions League group stages next season, saving Arsenal from the tricky qualifying ties that they have been forced to overcome in recent years. Victory in this game in hand tonight would make it a mathematical certainty.

Arsenal's form has just been stuttering a little of late, however, with just one win inside 90 minutes from their last five matches in all competitions. That victory came against struggling Hull City, with Arsenal dropping points to Chelsea, Swansea City and Manchester United, in addition to needed extra time to overcome Reading in that spell. Another failure to win today would see them go three league games without victory for the first time this year.

They have, however, only lost one of their last 13 games in all competitions and one in 12 in the Premier League having rescued a draw against Manchester United last time out. Tyler Blackett's own goal eight minutes from time was enough for a share of the spoils for the Gunners, who overcame a disappointing first-half display to recover after the break. They failed to have a single shot of any kind in the opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford - the first time that has happened in the league for more than 10 years. Ander Herrera's goal on the half-hour mark was also the first league goal Arsenal have conceded before half time since New Year's Day.

They are back on home turf tonight, though, and the Emirates has been kind to them this season. Their shock defeat at the hands of Swansea in their last home game was their first in the league since November and just their second in their last 35 Premier League outings in front of their own fans. They have now failed to score in two home league matches in a row for the first time since March 2011, however, and another blank tonight would make it three on the bounce for the first time in more than six years.

They have failed to even have a shot on target in the first half of their last two league games, although things have been fine in the opening 45 at the other end. They have conceded just 13 first-half goals this season, which is the lowest tally in the division. That should help them this evening as they look to avoid losing back-to-back home Premier League games in the same season for the first time since November 2010.

That is the task that awaits Sunderland this evening, but the Black Cats have established a reputation as end-of-season specialists in recent seasons and will hold little fear coming to the Emirates. Indeed, as a number of their players have suggested, playing the likes of Arsenal could well suit Sunderland's game more than had they been playing a more defensive team, although it would still be a major shock if Dick Advocaat's side came away with a victory tonight.

A much more likely scenario would be a draw for Sunderland considering they have shared the spoils a whopping 16 times in the league already this season - four more than any other team. A draw is also all they need to confirm their place in the Premier League for another season at least, so it would not be a surprise to see the visitors playing for a 0-0 from the off. They have already played out eight goalless draws this season, which is three more than anyone else.

It is hard to say that they have been a particularly defensive side since Advocaat took over, though, despite most of the stats pointing to that. He has played three attackers in the majority of his games and has opted for another attacking lineup - on paper at least - tonight. Even so, the Black Cats have scored just 30 times in the league all season, the second lowest tally after Burnley, while they have also registered a league-low 118 shots on target this term.

It is all about results at this stage of the season, however, and Advocaat has certainly improved things in that regard. Sunderland have lost just one of their last six games and are unbeaten in four, picking up seven points from a possible nine so far in the crucial month of May. In all, they have taken 11 points from a possible 21 since Advocaat took over, which has put them just a point away from pulling off yet another late escape.

Indeed, they could have cemented their place in the top flight for another season on Saturday with victory over Leicester City, but they were unable to breach the Foxes defence as Nigel Pearson's side held on for the 0-0 draw they needed to seal their own safety. Even so, the odds are now stacked in Sunderland's favour, with Hull City needing to beat Manchester United on the final day for the Black Cats to stand any chance of going down. That would also require Sunderland losing their final two matches although, considering they come away to Arsenal and Chelsea, that is certainly a possibility.

The fact that both of their remaining games come away from home may be a bit of concern considering Sunderland have not been great on their travels this season, winning just three times on the road all season. Only Burnley and QPR have won fewer, but Sunderland did emerge victorious in their last outing, riding their luck on their way to a 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. It was their first win on opposition territory since a 1-0 victory over Newcastle before Christmas, and it is unlikely that they will get such good luck in another game this term.

They have improved at the back, however, boasting the best defensive record in the bottom seven. They have also kept two clean sheets in a row coming into this match, and should they restrict Arsenal this evening then it would be three on the bounce for the first time since their remarkable run of form at the end of last season. Goals have been the major issue, as I mentioned previously, but if they can pull off a smash-and-grab job to win tonight, as they did at Goodison, then not only would they seal safety, but they would also guarantee a higher finish than bitter rivals Newcastle.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news is that Adam Johnson starts for Sunderland in the only change from the draw with Leicester last time out. Arsenal also make a change, bringing an end to a run of six games in a row without altering their team, as Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs replace Coquelin and Monreal. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Alexis; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott

SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Pantilimon; Jones, O'Shea, Coates, van Aanholt; Cattermole, Larsson; Johnson, Graham, Defoe, Wickham

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Rodwell, Fletcher, Reveillere, Giaccherini, Vergini, Buckley, Mannone

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, Wenger has finally opted to make a change to his side having been on the verge of going seven unchanged for the first time. Gibbs is one of those who comes into the side at left-back to replace Monreal, while there is also a place for Wilshere, who surprisingly replaces the in-form Coquelin. That latter change could well be the biggest indication of how Wenger thinks this match will go, with little need for a defensive midfielder if Sunderland sit back as expected.

Arsenal have plenty of creative talent in their midfield to pick a way through Sunderland, not least in the form of Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean is coming to the end of his debut season in the league and it has been a hugely successful one. His work rate and immense quality has won him plenty of admirers, and if Arsenal are to launch a title challenge next season then you can be sure that Sanchez will be right at the heart of it. He has gone off the boil a little in recent weeks, with a couple of notable exceptions, but there is no doubting just how good a signing he has been for the club.

Another big-money signing, Mesut Ozil, has not had quite as successful a time since his move to the Emirates, but since returning from injury this season he has been a fixture in the side and is beginning to show something like his best in an Arsenal shirt. Along with Cazorla, Ramsey and Wilshere, Ozil can pick holes in any defence to set up chances for Giroud up front. The Frenchman has gone six league and cup games without a goal following a purple patch in the final third, but he has netted three times in four Premier League games against Sunderland so will fancy his chances of breaking that mini duck tonight.

At the other end of the field, Ospina continues between the sticks having usurped Szczesny as the number one earlier this season, while there is also a place for Laurent Koscielny despite concerns over an illness for the French defender. He once again joins Mertesacker at the heart of the back four while Bellerin, who has made right-back his own since Mathieu Debuchy's injury, also retains his place in the wide.

Sunderland may be expected to sit back, but if they do manage to get on the front foot then that Arsenal defence will have plenty to worry about. Advocaat has gone for four very attack-minded players up front, with Defoe, Johnson and Wickham expected to play in a trio behind Graham. With the possible exception of Defoe, it isn't exactly the most prolific striking quartet you will find, but there is no doubt that the likes of Johnson and Wickham can cause defences plenty of problems.

In midfield, Sunderland have the necessary bite to cope with the relegation battle in the form of Cattermole, who is on the verge of breaking a disciplinary record this season. He picked up his 14th yellow card of the campaign against Leicester on Saturday, levelling Mark Hughes, Robbie Savage and Cheick Tiote as the only players to have done that. Another tonight would not only see him become the first player to amass 15 bookings in a single campaign, it would also result in a three-game ban for the combative midfielder.

At the back, the absence of Wes Brown is a blow for Sunderland, but O'Shea continues alongside Coates in the middle of an unchanged defence. That means Billy Jones, who was a minor doubt having been forced off against Leicester with a muscular problem, retains his place, while Van Aanholt, who has put in some fine performances on the left flank under Advocaat, will be looking to continue that good form tonight.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Emirates Stadium, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both sides would be happy with a point here, and you can be sure that Sunderland will play for that as they need it more, but Arsenal aren't the type of team to settle for anything less than a win, particularly at home. They are likely to see the vast majority of the ball, and they should have the quality to eventually break the Black Cats down. I'm going for a 2-0 home victory.

That scoreline would be a repeat of the reverse fixture, when Alexis Sanchez scored both goals at the Stadium of Light to hands the Gunners all three points. The match came directly after Sunderland's 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton, and it was two more defensive errors that gifted Arsenal the goals in what was a miserable period for the Black Cats. They are in much better shape now, though, and will fancy their chances of avoiding defeat.

Sunderland's recent record against Arsenal is not a good one, though. The Black Cats have failed to win any of their last 10 Premier League meetings with the Gunners, losing seven and drawing three in that time. They have won just one of their last 22 league meetings and have not beaten Arsenal in a league game away from home since November 1983.

If they are to end that duck this evening, though, then the key could well lie in aerial balls into the box. Arsenal have conceded 34% of their 35 goals from headers this season, which is the highest proportion of any team in the division. With set pieces likely to be among Sunderland's best chances in tonight's game, that could very well be a factor to keep an eye on.

It is not often that Premier League games are played on a Wednesday night, but Arsenal have a very good record when they are. They are unbeaten in their last 17 league outings on a Wednesday, winning 10 of those and drawing seven. Sunderland are minutes away from looking to break that record now as we approach kickoff.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Sunderland get us underway in North London as they look to get the result they need to ensure their Premier League status for another season.

Well, they were expected to sit back, but it is Sunderland who have the first since of a break. One ball over the top beats the whole defence and sends Graham scurrying through, but Ospina is out quickly to get to the ball just before the Sunderland striker.

The match has quickly fallen into the expected pattern, with Arsenal now camped inside the Sunderland half and the visitors getting 10 players behind the ball.

Important piece of defending from Coates as he gets an interception to Bellerin's low cross into a dangerous area. Arsenal attack again moments later, but Ramsey's lifted ball into the box is easy for Pantilimon.

Sunderland win a free kick in a good position as Jones gives the ball down the flank for Wickham before bursting forward for the return pass. He gets it and has a clear run ahead of him into the box before being brought down by Ramsey. What can they make of this?

It is really disappointing from Larsson, who is usually so good from set pieces. He fires his cross far too long and a good attacking position goes begging for Sunderland. They need to make the most of those tonight.

Bellerin is already becoming a prominent figure down the right. He races down the wing again and fizzes a promising cross into the box, but it is just too hard for Giroud to latch on to. The Spanish full-back could be an important figure for the hosts tonight, though.

Incidentally, Defoe is the man charged with marking Bellerin's forward runs tonight, and that is a role the centre-forward is not used to. He struggled with both Baines and Coleman against Everton in their last away game and could find himself up against it again here.

Arsenal are still seeing the vast majority of the ball here, but they aren't moving it quickly enough to catch Sunderland out. The visitors are refusing to be dragged out of their shape in defence, and the hosts are doing nothing to force that.

CHANCE! The first clear opening of the match goes the way of Arsenal as they finally find space. Sanchez plays the ball to Wilshere, who races into the space left by Van Aanholt and advances into the box. Wilshere's touch shows a little too much of the ball to Pantilimon, however, and the keeper thwarts Wilshere with a good tackle before collecting the ball.

Almost a chance at the other end for Defoe as he looks to race onto a loose ball clean through on goal, but it's Ospina's turn to be quick off his line and he mops up the danger before Defoe can latch on to the ball.

YELLOW CARD! Ramsey is the first name in the book for a lunge on Larsson, and he can have no complaints about being shown a card.

CHANCE! Better from Arsenal as they break forward with pace, moving the ball across to Ramsey via Ozil. Ramsey's layoff to Wilshere on the edge of the box is bobbling a little, however, and the England international blazes his shot almost into the upper tier of the stand.

Sunderland will be happy with how things have gone in the opening quarter of this match. Arsenal have seen plenty of the ball, as expected, but they are yet to really threaten Pantilimon's goal, with Wilshere's two openings the only ones they have created so far.

SAVE! A couple of decent shooting opportunities for Arsenal in quick succession. First, the ball is lifted to Sanchez at the back post and the Chilean goes for a first-time volley, only to scuff his effort back into the box. Sunderland can't get the ball fully clear and Cazorla goes for goal, but his low drive is relatively comfortable for Pantilimon.

Concern for Sunderland as Cattermole goes down and requires treatment, but he is a warrior and it will take more than a knock to put him out of this game. It would be a big blow if he were to be forced off.

Almost another opening for Wilshere as Sanchez advances down the left before feeding a pass across the edge of the box that interests the England man. Van Aanholt tracks the run and gets a foot in, however, while moments later Gibbs blasts a poor effort well off target.

Arsenal want a free kick right on the edge of the box as Ramsey does really well to keep hold of the ball and squeeze a pass to Giroud, whose return ball finds a blue shirt due to the Arsenal midfielder being blocked off. Anthony Taylor waves play on, though.

CHANCE! This time Wilshere turns creator, collecting a short pass from Ozil, who loops around the outside to make a run into the box. Wilshere finds that run with a chipped ball over the top, but Ozil can only blaze his volley over when he probably should have done better.

CLOSE! The Gunners are starting to find a way through now, and again it it Wilshere he crafts it. He chips another lovely pass over the top for the run of Giroud who, under heavy pressure from O'Shea, flashes a low volley inches past the far post.

The pressure is really starting to build on the Sunderland defence now, with Arsenal in complete control of possession inside the Sunderland half. The next target for the visitors is simply to hold on until half time.

Arsenal are getting less joy down the right than they were in the opening stages of this match now, with Van Aanholt having settled into the game and keeping Bellerin under wraps. Defoe also deserves credit in that regard.

Another shooting chance for Arsenal as Ozil lines one up from outside the box, but it is another wild effort from the Gunners. He puts it a long way off target - the latest in a line of wayward efforts from the hosts tonight.

SAVE! Again Arsenal are limited to an effort from outside the box as Sunderland remain stubborn, with this time Sanchez drilling a low effort towards goal. It is straight at Pantilimon, however, and the Sunderland keeper makes a routine stop.

SHOT! Sunderland have a chance to break at the other end, with Defoe leading the charge before playing in Graham. The striker is forced a little wide and has to cut back to find Johnson, who drills a powerful effort a few yards too high. A little warning shot for Arsenal there.

Arsenal have enjoyed 71% possession, but with the exception of a couple of Wilshere through-balls, they have rarely threatened to break through this Sunderland defence. It was always likely to be a question of whether the Gunners could find a way past Sunderland, and so far the answer is no.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Magnificent tackle from Wickham on the edge of his own box to nick the ball away from Sanchez just as the Chilean was about to pull the trigger.

No way through for Arsenal in the first half, then, as Sunderland remain stubborn to keep the Gunners at bay. A point would do for the respective goals of either side, but the hosts will be frustrated with that opening 45 minutes having dominated possession without being able to find a way through.

Wilshere has been central to Arsenal's best moments in the final third so far, lifting a couple of lovely passes through to create two good chances in quick succession. The closest Arsenal have come so far was courtesy of one of those passes as Wilshere lifted the ball over the defence for Giroud, who fired a volley narrowly past the far post under pressure from O'Shea.

Moments before that, another dinked pass from Wilshere set Ozil through with a good chance, but the German blazed his effort way over the bar from a good position. Arsenal's shooting has been wayward all night so far, with Ozil firing another well off target from outside the box later in the half. They haven't found it easy to get through Sunderland, but when they have managed it they haven't made the most of their chances.

Wilshere himself has had a couple of decent openings for the hosts, with the first of the match seeing him thwarted by a good tackle from Pantilimon following a heavy touch. In the 20th minute the England international was teed up on the edge of the box following a slick Arsenal move, but his effort also flew a long way over the crossbar.

Cazorla and Sanchez have both drawn saves from Pantilimon in the first half, but nothing that the Sunderland keeper wouldn't have expected to keep out. Both saves have been routine for him to deal with, and credit must go to those in front of him for that protection. The likes of O'Shea, Coates and Cattermole have kept things very tight at the back and Arsenal have not been able to come up with an answer thus far.

At the other end of the field, Ospina has had very little to worry about at all, with the vast majority of Sunderland's effort being dedicated to their defensive work. Johnson drilled one powerful strike off target towards the end of the first half, but counter-attacks have been rare from the Black Cats so far, yet alone shots. Sunderland will be happy if this one ends goalless, but Advocaat may still want to see a little more from his side on the break.

KICKOFF: Arsenal get us back underway at the Emirates, and the first thing to tell you is that Sunderland have made a double change at the break. On come Jack Rodwell and Steven Fletcher for Graham and Wickham.

Ozil tries a flick inside that goes straight to a blue shirt, and murmurs of discontent are audible from the crowd. There is a growing frustration around the Emirates, even with plenty of this match still to go.

Big chance for Sunderland to break as the ball is lifted forward to Defoe, who flicks it on to Fletcher for a two-on-one situation. Fletcher looks to find Defoe again, but his pass is cut out by Koscielny, who survives a handball shout.

CHANCES! Sunderland create their first two real chances of the match as first Johnson slides a clever pass in for Fletcher, who draws a stop from Ospina before Van Aanholt makes a bright run down the opposite flank. He is found with a pass inside the full-back, but again Ospina is there to make a stop with his feet!

What a start that would have been to the half for Sunderland, and Arsenal are a little fortunate that they are not behind in this one now. Could that be the warning shot they need to spark them into life?

OFF THE BAR! Giroud clips the top of the crossbar, but he didn't mean it. The Frenchman somehow managed to squeeze a cross away from the byline and, with Pantilimon already appealing for a goal kick, it kissed the top of the woodwork on its way behind.

Half a chance for Giroud as Ramsey puts a cross into the box that the Frenchman gets his head to, but it is tough for him to get any sort of power on his effort. It doesn't trouble Pantilimon, who catches the ball under no pressure.

SAVE! Pantilimon is forced into his first challenging save of the match as Bellerin feeds a good low cross into the box that Giroud flicks towards the far corner with a lovely touch at the front post. The Sunderland keeper reacts well to beat the ball away, though, and moments later is happy to see a Ramsey effort whizz wide.

CHANCE! Another big save from the Sunderland keeper, who needs all 6ft 8in of his frame to keep this one out. A ball arrived into the box and was flicked on to Gibbs at the back post, who did really well to generate power behind his header towards the corner. Pantilimon leaps to his right to hold on, however.

Brilliant block from Coates to deny Sanchez! It is great football from Arsenal as Ozil feeds the ball across to the Chilean, who cuts inside to create space for a shot only to see Coates throw himself in the way of the ball.

CHANCE! Sunderland break straight down the other end and have a wonderful chance to open the scoring against the run of play! Fletcher finds himself clean through on goal and tries a dink over Ospina, but the Arsenal keeper reads it and gets a crucial hand to the ball to push it behind for a corner.

Well, there has certainly been more goalmouth action in this second half! It was hard to see a goal coming in the first half, but right now there is a sense that the opener is just around the corner. It is the Gunners who are carrying the bigger threat, but Sunderland have shown enough on the break to suggest that they shouldn't be counted out here.

Another big block from Coates! A blocked effort breaks to Gibbs, who turns his man to create space to shoot on his right foot. His curling effort lacks power and would probably be easy for Pantilimon, but Coates puts his head in the way to flick it over his own crossbar.

Still no way through for Arsenal, but they do at least seemed to have quelled the threat of Sunderland on the break in the last few moments.

CHANCE! Another decent opening for Arsenal as Ozil brings a raking pass under instant control before feeding a cross towards Giroud, who can't turn it goalwards. Van Aanholt's attempted clearance is poor, however, and Sanchez plants his resulting header wide of the target.

ARSENAL SUB: The Gunners make their first change of the night as Theo Walcott comes on for his 300th Arsenal appearance in place of Wilshere.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Sunderland to break the deadlock! Van Aanholt drills an effort into the area and Fletcher sticks a leg out to make contact from close range, but he can only lift the effort over the top! The striker was offside when he connected with it, but there was no flag so it would have counted!

Fletcher alone has had three big chances since coming on at half time, and Sunderland will certainly be fancying their chances of getting something from this game. They have arguably created the best openings of the match, despite only having had 28% of the ball.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Arsenal this time as Ramsey threads a beauty of a pass through for Walcott to race onto. He uses his pace to get there before Pantilimon and poke the ball past the keeper, but Coates is there to hack the ball away before it can trickle in.

OFF THE POST! Oh my word, Sunderland's luck may just be in again! Ramsey is again the creator as he fires a magnificent cross into the box that Coates can't hook away. It hits Jones at the back post and rebounds onto his own upright with Pantilimon beaten. Incredible.

SUNDERLAND SUB: The visitors make their third and final change of the match as Will Buckley replaces Johnson.

Arsenal continue to probe for a way through Sunderland's back nine, with the match looking like a training session between attack and defence right now. Eventually Arsenal are forced into a shot from range, but Sanchez's effort goes flying over.

Concern for Sunderland as Larsson goes down clutching his knee. The visitors have already made all three changes and can't really afford any players to limp off now, but it looks as though Larsson may be fine to continue.

ARSENAL SUB: A second change for the Gunners sees Tomas Rosicky replaces Ozil, who doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry to come off despite his side running out of time to win this match.

CHANCE! Rosicky almost makes an immediate impact, firing a beauty of a pass into Walcott with the outside of his boot before running into the box for the return pass. He receives that having not been tracked by Defoe, but O'Shea gets the slightest of touches to force Rosicky into cutting across the ball and firing wide.

CHANCE! Sunderland are certainly defiant! Walcott has another shooting chance but is denied by a good low stop from Pantilimon. He can't hold onto the ball and Coates is under heavy pressure from Giroud before Larsson hacks the ball away following a mini scramble.

SAVE! Another save from Pantilimon to make, but this time the big keeper can hold on. It was Ramsey who had the effort from the edge of the box, but still there is no way through for the hosts.

CHANCE! This is quite incredible. Pantilimon makes another magnificent save to deny Walcott, who drilled a powerful low effort towards the bottom far corner. The Sunderland keeper gets down so quickly, and his parry is inches behind Ramsey as the visitors survive again.

What an effort this has been from Sunderland today. Arsenal have dominated all of the statistics except the only one that truly matters, with Sunderland hanging on for dear life now.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match - that's how far Sunderland are away from Premier League survival if they can hold out!

Anthony Taylor blows the final whistle to spark wild scenes of celebrations from the visitors as Sunderland's place in the Premier League is confirmed for another season! Advocaat is in tears on the sidelines having maintained his proud record of never being relegated, and it was another stoic showing from his side today as they held out for a goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a remarkable match in North London as Sunderland clinch safety in the Premier League courtesy of a 0-0 draw away to Arsenal. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. We have the final day covered this Sunday, and it will be a relaxed occasion for Sunderland now, with the relegation battle between Newcastle and Hull. Join us again for that but, for now, it is goodbye from me!