'The first thing I said was I'm not coming here to go down'published at 11:20 GMT 7 February
11:20 GMT 7 February
Image source, PA Media
In the latest episode of The Football Interview from BBC Sport, Granit Xhaka speaks about the conversations he had with Sunderland before joining the club last summer.
Xhaka swapped Bayer Leverkusen - with whom he won the German title in 2024 - for the newly-promoted Black Cats.
And that decision has paid off for Xhaka, who has helped Sunderland into the top half of the table with about a third of the season left to play.
"You hope everything will go the way you think," said the former Arsenal midfielder.
"When I spoke to the club, the first thing I said was I'm not coming here to play in the Premier League for one year and to go down, because I'm leaving a Champions League club and a champion team like Leverkusen.
"[I said] I'm coming here to push this project that the club has, with my experience, my leadership and the work I'm doing every day to show the new generation that even when you're tired, sometimes you can push through.
"This period we've had in the winter, with all these games and we missed several players at Afcon as well, was a great experience for the dressing room."
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Sunderlandpublished at 11:12 GMT 7 February
11:12 GMT 7 February
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.
His guest for week 25 is Gladiators star Apollo, real name Alex Gray, who supports Newcastle.
Sutton says: I am not going to say 2-1 for this one. Instead it will be another Arsenal clean sheet - they have already kept 12 in their first 24 league games, two more than any other team.
It's a shame Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka is not fit to face his old club at the Emirates. When he played for the Black Cats against Arsenal in their draw at the Stadium of Light, they were the first team I saw who really rattled the Gunners.
Xhaka's experience has helped to glue together a Sunderland side with a lot of young players this season, but they coped all right without him against Burnley on Monday.
This is a much tougher game for them, obviously, and Sunderland's away form is nowhere near as strong as it is at home.
Arsenal swept Leeds aside 4-0 last weekend, when everyone thought they were having a bit of a blip.
They showed their strength in depth at Elland Road, when they lost Bukayo Saka in the warm-up, and I can see them winning comfortably this time too.
Arsenal v Sunderland: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:01 GMT 6 February
19:01 GMT 6 February
Having extended their lead at the top of the table to six points last week, Arsenal host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT), knowing they boast an enviable record in this fixture.
The Gunners have never lost a Premier League home game against the Black Cats, winning 11 and drawing five of their 16 meetings. Their last top-flight defeat to Sunderland came in a 2-1 loss at Highbury in November 1983.
Despite their defeat against Manchester United a fortnight ago, no team has won more points at home this season than the 29 by Arsenal, and nobody has conceded fewer goals than their eight.
Manager Mikel Arteta is sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard, both of whom missed the 1-0 League Cup semi-final second-leg win over Chelsea on Tuesday.
Saka pulled up injured in the warm-up ahead of last week's 4-0 demolition of Leeds United, during which top scorer Viktor Gyokeres netted his first league goal from open play since 1 November.
With three against Leeds and one against Burnley, four of the Sweden striker's six league goals this season have come against promoted sides, a record that bodes well given Saturday's opposition.
Gyokeres, though, will be keen to add more goals to his game during the title run-in and avoid a reputation as a flat-track bully, especially with the fit-again Gabriel Jesus challenging him for a starting role.
Regis' boys bristling with confidence
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris was keen to talk down his side's chances of European football after their 3-0 dismantling of Burnley on Monday night.
The Black Cats occupy eighth place in the table and their current points tally of 36 would have ensured safety in each of the last 10 seasons.
Crucially, victory over the Clarets showed the Mackems could win without captain Granit Xhaka, who looks set to miss several weeks of action with an ankle injury. After Xhaka, perhaps Le Bris' most influential player this season has been Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
The ever-present Roefs has played every minute of Sunderland's return to English football's top tier, with the 23-year-old's commanding performances between the sticks reportedly attracting interest from elsewhere.
Monday's win coincided with Roefs' eighth clean sheet of the season. The last time a goalkeeper kept more for a promoted side was in 2020-21, when Leeds United's Illan Meslier got 11 and Fulham's Alphonse Areola recorded nine.
'I love a challenge' - why Xhaka joined Sunderlandpublished at 16:31 GMT 6 February
16:31 GMT 6 February
Image source, PA Media
Granit Xhaka's form for Sunderland has been one of the success stories of the Premier League season, helping the promoted club excel on their return to the top flight.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Xhaka said returning to England so soon after his exit from Arsenal in 2023 was not on his radar.
"I didn't expect to be back in the Premier League after two years," said the Switzerland international midfielder. "It's not that I didn't want it, but it wasn't planned.
"When I moved from Arsenal, I signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen, so everything was planned around what would happen after five years - maybe doing coaching and all these steps.
"You always say in football that you never know where you are tomorrow."
Asked why he returned to England, Xhaka replied: "I came back because firstly people were laughing with me, to be honest. Even my closest friends asked why I was going back and I said 'why not?'. They said 'OK, you can go back to the Premier League but why to Sunderland?'.
"It is because I love a challenge.
"I had the feeling I needed a new challenge after two years in Germany, when in the first year we won nearly everything.
"As well, I had a feeling when I spoke with the owner, the club and the coach that this is the right club for me. The people are very humble.
"I'm just happy that everything, at the moment, went how I was looking for."
Who is new Sunderland goalkeeper Ellborg?published at 12:30 GMT 6 February
12:30 GMT 6 February
Image source, Getty Images
Swedish football expert Jonas Hansson told BBC Radio Newcastle that new Sunderland signing Melker Ellborg "has all the qualities" you want from a goalkeeper.
The 22-year-old joined from Malmo for £3m in the winter transfer window and has signed a deal that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2030.
"They are getting a goalkeeper that basically has all the qualities that you want," Hansson said. "He's quite big, he's quite strong, he's got game-winning saves on his resume, quite a good passer with the feet.
"He has brought stability to Malmo and a great personality. Everyone I talk to says how wonderful he is, how sweet and nice and super-professional and hard-working, so you're basically getting a really, really strong package."
The Swedish shotstopper has experience at the highest level with appearances in both the Champions League and Europa League.
Speaking after signing for the Black Cats, who are just five points off the top four in the Premier League, Ellborg said: "I always like to work hard in training and never stop. I want to keep developing all the time, especially when things are tough and things are going against you. I always want to keep working.
"That is what is so great about this club and that is the feeling I have got from my conversations with the players and coaches so far.
"It is a club built on a working mentality, which I really like and agree with - this suits me well."
Le Bris on Xhaka, Angulo and staying humblepublished at 14:08 GMT 5 February
14:08 GMT 5 February
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Le Bris confirmed that the club are yet to hear the result of Granit Xhaka's scan, but the player is doing well, adding: "I hope he will recover well and in spring, near the end of the season we will have the best version of Granit with us."
He says that deadline day signing Nilson Angulo is not yet with the team, but will arrive on Friday evening. He admitted that there is a chance that the Ecuadorian will be available for selection on Saturday.
He spoke about the process of signing the winger: "We had the usual video call to get to know each other. You can assess a player watching some games, after that it's still interesting to have a conversation and find the right connection. It's more about feelings than the rationale. This call was really positive."
Sunderland's current points total would see them survive in each of the last 10 Premier League seasons, but the French coach says he still doesn't feel safe in the top flight: "We don't want to have this feeling. To stay ambitious you need to chase something and at the minute this is our main target. If we can keep this ambition and energy, it will be the right mindset to be competitive."
On Saturday's opponents: "We have to be our best version. They are playing at a huge level and are probably one of the best teams in Europe. It is a tough, but exciting challenge. We will try our best"
Le Bris labelled Sunderland as the "underdog" going into this match. He says he likes this mindset because it allows his team to stay humble and play with freedom.
"There's good reason to be excited by a player like this. He is a player who will get bums off seats us for sure. He is strong in the air, good defensively and a strong tackler. His pace is probably one of his biggest attributes," Coyne said.
"He really does have great pace, which is important at this level. Technically, he's shown huge potential as well and is a really good dribbler.
"He is essentially a modern dynamic winger, great finisher, good long-range shot-taker as well and he has something I think that the Sunderland recruitment team have identified early, which is important.
"That's a kind of two-way play, so his transitionary judgement and his pressing ability is very good and both of those elements of a player's game need to be really good if you're going to play at a Premier League level and he absolutely has that."
'Beast mode' Brobbey looking like 'real deal' - Gabbiadinipublished at 17:34 GMT 4 February
17:34 GMT 4 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has praised the club's current number nine Brian Brobbey.
The physical forward joined the Black Cats in the summer and is one of many new signings to earn plaudits from pundits and fans alike.
"What's that phrase? Beast mode. I think he's definitely in beast mode and he is so strong, but not just strong, he's got balance," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"I've seen players in the past who think they're strong and throw themselves about but he stays on his feet, he controls the ball when it looks like it's impossible that you can.
"He's so strong in his arms that he just keeps defenders away from the ball and he shields it and brings other players in. I just think he's looking like the real deal."
'The brief was very simple... it has been another successful window'published at 12:32 GMT 4 February
12:32 GMT 4 February
Gavin Henderson Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
Sunderland have had a fantastic transfer window in which the brief was very simple - thin out the squad and add quality where we can.
One of the sad things about our rapid rise from League One to the Premier League in four years is that some players who have helped us along the way just are not going to be up to the standard in the top flight, so we needed to find new clubs for lots of them in January.
In particular, Dan Neil, Aji Alese, Anthony Patterson and Leo Hjelde all left us in this window, while others such as Adil Aouchiche and Patrick Roberts - who were already out on loan - made permanent exits.
Also, given we signed 14 new players in the summer, it was going to be tough for all of them to work out.
It is fair to say that in the case of Arthur Masuaku and Simon Adingra, it has not really, so the fact we have moved both of them out of the door is also a net positive. We have found both of them good new clubs and it has not harmed our first-team squad one bit.
In terms of incomings, we have added three seriously talented young players - Jocelin Ta Bi, Melker Ellborg and Nilson Angulo.
If I were being picky, I would have liked a young understudy for Granit Xhaka to have come in and there is a little bit of deadwood still left over that we could not shift.
But all in all, it has been another successful transfer window for Sunderland, which gears us up nicely for a strong second half of the season.
'An absolutely fantastic life' - tributes paid to Forsterpublished at 10:30 GMT 4 February
10:30 GMT 4 February
Image source, Nick Barnes BBC Sport
Total Sport have paid tribute to Chairman of the Sunderland Supporters' Association George Forster, who has died aged 99.
BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes said: "Heartbreaking news because we all felt he was invincible.
"He was wearing his red and white scarf, his Sunderland cap, he was holding pitch clippings from the Stadium of Light with his family and friends around him.
"He's passed on in the way he would have wanted. The reaction already has been phenomenal. I don't think there's many that don't know about George."
Image source, Nick Barnes BBC Sport
Former Black Cats striker Marco Gabbiadini said: "He's one of the first people I remember meeting around the club in a very different era.
"When you did see him he always had a little memory from the past or took up a conversation as if you'd spoken every week for years.
"A really proper bloke and just knew everything about the club and its history. He's one of the people who helped you learn about the club when you spoke to him.
"He was a great bloke, a great character, and well known by everyone associated with the club. He lived an absolutely fantastic life and he will be sorely missed."
A statement from Sunderland read:
"Everyone at Sunderland AFC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong supporter, George Forster.
"George was red and white to the core and became one of the most cherished figures in the Club's fan base. Rest in peace, George. You will never be forgotten."
Sunderland will show 'no fear' against Arsenal and Liverpool - Humepublished at 10:59 GMT 3 February
10:59 GMT 3 February
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland defender Trai Hume says his team will face their next two opponents - Premier League leaders Arsenal and then reigning champions Liverpool - with "no fear".
The Black Cats bounced back from a disappointing loss at West Ham by beating Burnley 3-0 on Monday.
"It was a very professional performance," Hume, who captained the side against the Clarets, told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"We dominated the whole game. They had very few chances and we created a lot of chances ourselves.
"We were disappointed after last week and I think we know we weren't good enough and that wasn't us. That's what we mentioned before the game [on Monday] - that we want to get back to being us and what we do - and that's what we did.
"The two teams we're about to come up against are two of the best in the Premier League without a doubt. But we also know we can stick together as a team and go out there and get a result.
"We'll go with no fear and have belief in ourselves that we can get something."
Paul: Another great response to a disappointing defeat away from home. The players who are back from Afcon were great and we looked strong across the park. A lot said about Burnley being poor, but I believe our high press and intensity in winning the ball contributed to them looking second best.
Mason: A performance full of energy, in contrast to the last match at West Ham. Habib Diarra brought much-needed intensity to the team and some of the football was a joy to watch. If only we had a clinical goal merchant to put away those gilt-edged chances, though Brian Brobbey's hold-up play was excellent. Burnley were poor so it's difficult to judge how good a Sunderland display that was.
Tommo: Amazing night, three goals and a clean sheet. What more is there to say?
David: How refreshing to see midfielders run directly at the opposition, get a shot away and reap the rewards. Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi looked bright on their return and they're forming an immediate connection with the ever-improving beast Brobbey. Another smart day off the pitch and great night on it for the club. The future is bright, the future is red and white.
Burnley fans
Andy: The word for our display was insipid. All season long, there has been no block, poor decisions and no - or little - desire to play and win. There is no fight - they are almost like mercenaries. We don't learn from our mistakes, nor does Scott Parker, and definitely not our useless owners. We are doomed and I think the yo-yo years are over - unless something drastic occurs, it's League One and beyond. After 67 years of support I'm so depressed, thanks to this pathetic display.
Barry: Absolutely woeful. We lack passion as well as quality. Poor signings, or lack of, and questionable tactics are putting us back to where we belong in the Championship. If we don't change things quickly then, sadly, we may not be good enough for that league.
John: Angry that the team has disintegrated to this, but mainly embarrassed.
David: This was a deeply disappointing performance, not just because of the result, but because of how passive and predictable we looked throughout the game. There was a real lack of intensity, both in and out of possession. We never imposed ourselves, never made Sunderland uncomfortable, and for long spells it felt like we were reacting rather than competing. What's most frustrating is the absence of a clear attacking identity, not one attempt on target! We didn't lose fighting, we lost without ever really landing a punch.
Mark: Was a very painful watch for 90 minutes. The team had no fight or even knew what to do. We just let them run the game. Parker should go now - either get sacked or hand in his resignation. We're so poor and he hasn't got the technical tactics for the Premier League. He is as bad as Vincent Kompany was.
Afcon stars contribute to home comfortspublished at 23:09 GMT 2 February
23:09 GMT 2 February
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland's success this term has owed much to being able to turn the Stadium of Light into a fortress.
While there is no suggestion they will be able to emulate Brian Clough's Forest side, who went the entire season without defeat at the City Ground on their way to winning the old First Division championship, the Black Cats are well placed to set a new mark of their own.
With a 15-match unbeaten home run in 2009-10, Birmingham City hold the record for a newly promoted side in the Premier League era.
Sunderland's current feat has left them in exalted company too.
Only Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Paris St-Germain remain without a home loss this term across Europe's big five leagues.
While the loss of six first-team players at the Africa Cup of Nations contributed to a recent downturn in form, all those players are now back in the fold, and Sunderland were able to make light of the continued absence of captain Granit Xhaka with an ankle injury.
And Senegal international Habib Diarra - effectively the man standing in for the Switzerland midfielder - played a starring role as he netted his first goal for the club since his summer arrival from Strasbourg.
His driven effort which flicked off Axel Tuanzebe gave the Black Cats' their earliest league goal since Javier Manquillo's strike against Chelsea in May 2017 and laid the platform for what followed.
Along with striker Brian Brobbey, the visitors struggled to deal with the threat and direct running of Diarra, who helped Senegal to Afcon glory.
Sunderland also showed they were equally capable of cutting through the visitors, with Morocco international Talbi's third strike of the campaign arriving after 10 passes - the joint-longest sequence leading to a league goal for his side this term.
Sunderland 3-0 Burnley: What Le Bris and Talbi saidpublished at 22:35 GMT 2 February
22:35 GMT 2 February
Media caption,
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was important to react at home. Strong team work, intense, we showed personality with the ball, and we scored three goals today, which was really important."
On Habib Diarra: "He is really competitive and for the squad it gives us freshness which is needed."
On Chemsdine Talbi: "For our wingers, our strikers and offensive players, they need to take risks. If he tries this shot from outside the box, it shows confidence."
On what is possible for Sunderland: "For me, the target remains the same. The first target is around 40 points, maybe more. The league is tough. For us, go to 40 and see if we can get more."
On maintaining an unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light: "It's important because we know that the connection with our fans is key. We are a newly-promoted side, and we feel that we can change the momentum."
On whether Granit Xhaka is fit to return: "Not yet, he is getting better, and we need to wait a bit."
Sunderland goalscorer Chemsdine Talbi, speaking to Sky Sports: "We did a great job today. A lot of passes, a lot of quality on the ball. And today we finished the action well. Really pleased with that and we need to continue like this."
On his goal: "I need to watch it back, but I'm really pleased with that. We train like this every day on the pitch, so today it's a goal. I hope to get more goals and really appreciate it."
On ambitions this season: "We want to reach the top. If we can reach the top five, the top six, we can go through. There are a lot of matches coming but very much focus on the next match."
Sunderland remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League this season (P12 W7 D5), making it the longest home unbeaten start to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted side since Nottingham Forest went the entire 1977-78 campaign without defeat on home soil (P21 W15 D6).
Sunderland (P12 W7 D5) are one of just seven sides that remain unbeaten on home soil across the big five European leagues this season (also Atlético de Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund & PSG).
Subs: Moore, Cirkin, Geertruida, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Mundle, Isidor, Jones
Burnley make one alteration to the starting XI from their 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the English top flight nine days ago, with Lyle Foster taking the place of Armando Broja
James Ward-Prowse, who joined the Clarets on loan from West Ham last week, is on the substitute's bench.
Watch a North East football special as clock ticks downpublished at 17:51 GMT 2 February
17:51 GMT 2 February
Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special discussing the business done by Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The show, which runs from 18:00-20:00 GMT, will offer the latest updates and analysis, with guests including ex-Magpies defender John Anderson and club scout Paul Montgomery, and former Black Cats players Gary Bennett and Lee Cattermole.
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