Sunderland under-23s head to the capital this Friday with high hopes of building on back-to-back home draws.
Ahead of the match safc.com has put together an all you need to know guide...
Fixture: Arsenal U23 v Sunderland U23
Location: Borehamwood FC
Date and kick-off: Friday 28 October, KO 7pm
Competition: Premier League 2
How they line-up: Arsenal U23
League position: 9th
League wins: 2
League defeats: 5
League goals scored: 6
League goals conceded: 14
League form: WLWDL
Last time out: Manchester United U23 1-0 Arsenal U23 (Arsenal.com)
Arsenal Under-23s were unfortunate to be beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village on Monday night.
RoShaun Williams put the hosts in front after just eight minutes, converting from close range after a corner had been flicked on.
Hugo Keto made a series of impressive saves to keep the score at 1-0, while the Gunners went in search of an equaliser.
Both Marcus McGuane and Ismael Bennacer took aim late on, with Eddie Nketiah repeatedly kept out by the Manchester United defence as the hosts held on.
Spotlight: Arsenal U23 head coach - Steve Gatting
Born in May 1959, Steve Gatting oversees the club’s development side having been a player at Arsenal between 1977 and 1981. With 76 Gunners appearances under his wing, Gatting was part of the side that reached three consecutive FA Cup finals with Arsenal. Spells at Brighton & Hove Albion and Charlton Athletic followed for Gatting before he returned to North London in July 2007 in a coaching capacity.
Key battle: Krystian Bielik v Joel Asoro
Having arrived from Legia Warsaw as an improving central midfielder, the robust youngster converted his style to a new role in the heart of the Gunners backline. A string of commanding performances last term earned the Polish youth international his first-team debut in a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup before he went on to record 32 appearances for the development squad. Still only 18, Bielik will have his work cut out with either 17-year-olds Joel Asoro or Josh Maja as Sunderland look for capital gains.
