Gunners and Black Cats prepare for a scrap at Stadium of Light

Arsenal fans certainly do not need reminding that it has been 21 long years since their club last won the Premier League title.

- By Nobby Piles

That 2004 success was historic with the Gunners being the first team to achieve the title without a single defeat in a 38-game season.

That seems a long time ago now, but it is not as if the Gunners haven't been trying. They have been runners-up for the past three seasons and altogether in second spot nine times in the Premier League era.

This season they have renewed hope, currently sitting six points clear at the top of the table. Of course with only 10 games played it’s early days and Arsenal fans have suffered disappointments before when seemingly in a good position.

They are also going well in Europe with a comfortable 3-0 win at Slavia Prague in Tuesday night's game. Arsenal were also able to display the youngest player to feature in a Champions League game. Coming off the bench in the 72nd minute was Max Dowman aged 15 years and 308 days.