In the previous season, Sunderland failed to take a single point from any of their matches against Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea, despite some decent performances across that season. On this day in 2008, Arsenal arrived at a wet Stadium of Light to take on Keane’s men. In comparison to the previous season, Sunderland had brought in the likes of Djibril Cissé, Pascal Chimbonda, and Anton Ferdinand into the team, who all had high-level experience. The game started at a quick pace, where Sunderland pressed high and forced the Arsenal defence into mistakes at the back. Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott (Bendtner 66), Denilson (Nasri 73), Fabregas, Song Billong (Vela 87), Van Persie, Adebayor.