The Gunners completed a seventh straight year without any silverware in May and the challenge now is to mount a stronger push for honours over the coming 12 months.Arsenal V Sunderland Live Stream Online English Premier League 2012 Video Free Watch on Justin Tv. Free Arsenal V Sunderland Stream Free Online Video Of English Premier League Saturday 18th August 2012 Kickoff and Time Table scheduled for 15:00 GMT.That challenge has not been helped by an uncomfortable few months in the transfer window, which is becoming a recurring theme after the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last year.The latest big-name player to leave is inspirational captain Robin van Persie, who is heading to Manchester United after revealing that he would not be signing an extension to his Arsenal contract because of a 'disagreement over the way the club should move forward'.The Dutchman's exit leaves a huge void - 30 Premier League goals last season - but Wenger has at least recruited a number of new attacking recruits in the shape of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and the versatile Santi Cazorla.
If Arsenal's preparations for the season opener have been disrupted, Sunderland will look to take advantage and get their own campaign off to a winning start.
The Black Cats started slowly last term and were struggling at the midway point, before Martin O'Neill replaced Steve Bruce as manager and revived their fortunes.
They could not maintain that form right until the end of the season but hopes are still high that they can improve on a 13th-placed finish, despite a relatively quiet transfer window.
Carlos Cuellar has arrived to bolster the defence and Louis Saha was signed on Thursday on a free transfer after leaving Tottenham earlier in the summer.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also pulled out of Roy Hodgson's squad with an ankle problem and has not recovered in time, while Laurent Koscielny (calf) has been ruled out as well.
Jack Wilshere is still not ready to make his eagerly-awaited comeback from knee and ankle problems and Tomas Rosicky (tendon), Bacary Sagna (leg) and Emmanuel Frimpong (knee) are also out.
Giroud and Podolski could make their debuts in a new-look strike-force, while Thomas Vermaelen is the new captain.
Stephane Sessegnon has returned to training after sustaining an ankle problem earlier in pre-season and O'Neill is hopeful he will play some part, having emerged as such a key player last season.
Wes Brown and David Vaughan have also made good progress following recent injuries but are not expected to be involved.
Saha is available to make his debut at Emirates Stadium after completing his move in time for the weekend, while fellow summer signing Cuellar is also set to feature at centre-back.
If Arsenal's preparations for the season opener have been disrupted, Sunderland will look to take advantage and get their own campaign off to a winning start.
The Black Cats started slowly last term and were struggling at the midway point, before Martin O'Neill replaced Steve Bruce as manager and revived their fortunes.
They could not maintain that form right until the end of the season but hopes are still high that they can improve on a 13th-placed finish, despite a relatively quiet transfer window.
Carlos Cuellar has arrived to bolster the defence and Louis Saha was signed on Thursday on a free transfer after leaving Tottenham earlier in the summer.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also pulled out of Roy Hodgson's squad with an ankle problem and has not recovered in time, while Laurent Koscielny (calf) has been ruled out as well.
Jack Wilshere is still not ready to make his eagerly-awaited comeback from knee and ankle problems and Tomas Rosicky (tendon), Bacary Sagna (leg) and Emmanuel Frimpong (knee) are also out.
Giroud and Podolski could make their debuts in a new-look strike-force, while Thomas Vermaelen is the new captain.
Stephane Sessegnon has returned to training after sustaining an ankle problem earlier in pre-season and O'Neill is hopeful he will play some part, having emerged as such a key player last season.
Wes Brown and David Vaughan have also made good progress following recent injuries but are not expected to be involved.
Saha is available to make his debut at Emirates Stadium after completing his move in time for the weekend, while fellow summer signing Cuellar is also set to feature at centre-back.