Squad sheets: Sunderland v Arsenal

A diplomatically awkward evening in the boardroom could beckon for David Miliband. The former foreign secretary is Sunderland's vice chairman but previously supported Arsenal. Martin O'Neill's side were beaten by Thierry Henry's 90th minute winner on Wearside last Saturday but possess the ability to ensure a week already featuring Champions League ignominy in Milan ends on a calamitous note for the visitors. Much depends on whether John O'Shea and Michael Turner can keep their concentration against Robin van Persie and if Arsène Wenger's defence can control the attacking supply from the former Arsenal winger, Sebastian Larsson. Louise Taylor Venue Stadium of Light, Saturday 5.15pm Tickets £20 (0871 911 1973) Previous meetings Sunderland wins 49 Arsenal wins 54 Draws 38 Referee Howard Webb This season's matches 31 Y 107, R 5, 3.77 cards per game Odds Sunderland 2-1 Arsenal 6-4 Draw 12-5 Sunderland Subs from Westwood, Elmohamady, Kyrgiakos, Bridge, Cattermole, Meyler, Wickham, Ji, Kilgallon, Tounkara Doubtful Cattermole (hamstring) Injured Bramble (calf, 25 Feb), Gordon (knee, 25 Feb), Vaughan (ankle, 3 Mar), Brown (knee, Apr) Suspended None Ineligible Bendtner Form guide LWWWDW Disciplinary record Y42 R1 Leading scorer Sessègnon 7 Arsenal Subs from Fabianski, Squillaci, Miquel, Koscielny, Rosicky, Benayoun, Arshavin, Coquelin, Park, Chamakh, Gervinho Doubtful Koscielny (knee) Injured Diaby (hamstring, 26 Feb), André Santos (ankle, 11 Mar), Wilshere (ankle, 17 Mar), Frimpong (knee, Sep), Jenkinson (back, unknown), Mertesacker (ankle, unknown) Suspended None Form guide LWWDWL Disciplinary record Y66 R4 Leading scorer Van Persie 28 Match pointers • Arsène Wenger's first FA Cup tie as a manager was against Sunderland – Arsenal won 2-0 at Roker Park in a third-round replay in 1997 • A win for Sunderland would be their 50th victory over Arsenal from 142 attempts • Robin van Persie has scored seven goals in his last nine FA Cup appearances • Sunderland have scored eight more goals under Martin O'Neill than they did with Steve Bruce as manager, despite playing one less game • Arsenal's last six FA Cup defeats have come away from home at fellow Premier League clubs in their last six FA Cup games