The Black Cats' boss said the Gunners are the most difficult side in the top flight to defend against because they are so flexible going forward.

But he said he is looking forward to a game in which he hopes his own attack will give Arsenal grounds for concern.

He said: It's a manager's nightmare trying to set his side up to defend against Arsenal because they have so many options.

"Manchester United invariably set up 4-4-2 with Wayne Rooney playing behind the main striker, Chelsea have their own usual way of setting up, and you can usually work out the way Liverpool are going to play as well.

"But Arsenal are so fluid and interchangeable that they really are hard to pin down and get to grips with.

"The way that they play and the way that they interchange positions often seems so random that it looks as though they're making it up as they go along.

"You get attacks where a centre-half or full-back is suddenly on the edge of penalty area and they don't seem to have any obvious shape or pattern, they are masters of improvisation in that sense.

"It looks a little as though they are playing off the cuff, but it obviously isn't – the whole way they play is very, very carefully planned and laid out.

"They play to whatever system they decide will best suit them on the day, and because they have world class players in every position they tend to make it work and look effortless – that's what makes them such an attractive team to watch.

"We have to find ways of making sure they don't have it all their own way, but we have to keep our concentration because they are a side that can destroy you within a couple of minutes.

"At this time though I've been very pleased with the way my team has played in recent weeks.

"The five-man midfield worked fantastically well against Spurs, and we've created a host of chances in our last two or three games, with whatever formation we've chosen.

"So we've got to feel confident that we can also give Arsenal something to think about, just as we have done in recently games against Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Spurs."

A bumper crowd is expected for tomorrow's game at the Stadium of Light and Bruce is hoping for another day to remember for the home fans.

He said: "The fans have been brilliant this season and created wonderful atmospheres at home.

"It's certainly helped us get the good results we have got, and hopefully we'll get another good result tomorrow."