David Moyes has told his players to stand up and be counted when they travel to Arsenal on Tuesday evening (KO 7.45pm).
The Black Cats failed to build on a 2-0 win over Hull City when they faced Swansea City on Saturday, as the Welsh side secured a comfortable win to ensure their Premier League survival.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are hot the heels of Liverpool and Manchester City in the race for UEFA Champions League football, with a late-season surge taking them to within touch distance of the top four.
And although their fate is out of their hands, Moyes insisted they’ll be raring to go to ensure any final-day drama falls in their favour.
“I think a few weeks ago Arsenal probably thought they were out of it but they’ve got themselves back into a position where they’re going to push hard,” said the Sunderland boss.
“Arsenal and Arsene [Wenger] continually reach the top four and if you were a betting man at the start of the season you’d have said they would have made it because of their record, so it’s a big game for them which makes it doubly difficult for us.”
He continued: “I think the players have to stand up and be counted.
“They need to show are they capable of playing at this level because you’d have to say for most of the season it's not shown that way.
“They have a chance against two really good teams to show that they see themselves as Premier League players and are fit to be at that level.
“Every game counts in football as far as I’m concerned and you’re judged in every one, so we have to perform much better against Arsenal that’s for sure.”