Arsenal have made a smooth start to the defence of their Premier League title with three successive wins, including last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat of Chelsea at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side, who also won 1-0 at Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday, appear in good shape for their trip to Sunderland on Saturday, but the same could be said ahead of last season’s corresponding fixture.

On that occasion, Arsenal arrived having won 10 straight games and not conceded in eight. But they were given an almighty scare as goals from Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey earned the Wearsiders a well-deserved point.

Sunderland have taken four points from their opening three games.