DANISH goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen warned last night that Sunderland could be sucked into a relegation battle if they do not snap out of their poor run of form, starting against championship contenders Arsenal at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Peter Reid's men have won only one match in seven and go into a tough game desperate to avoid a hat-trick of Premiership defeats after losing to Manchester United and Middlesbrough.

A victory at Bolton last month -- after Sorensen saved a penalty -- has helped the Sunderland points tally and they are now 12th with 12 points from ten games.

But it is the recent run which concerns Sorensen, who has had the misfortune to concede nine goals in the last five games, three of them at home.

He said: "We are playing at home and we will be looking to turn around this run of bad form.

"Points wise it hasn't been a disaster but the way we have played has been a small disaster and that's what we have to turn around.

"We need to find our form fairly quickly or suddenly you will find yourself far behind and lose confidence and the pressure will be on to keep out of the bottom three."

Sorensen, so many times a hero for Sunderland in their last two Premiership seasons, knows he will be facing one of the world's best strikers in Thierry Henry, who has already smashed in 13 goals this season.

Opinion is divided over who is the Premiership's best striker - Henry or Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Sorensen said: "They are both world-class. I have also played against Henry in the Danish national team.

"There have been games when he hasn't scored so there is a little bit of hope for us!

Arsenal have the material there to win the Premiership. They have strengthened their squad over the summer and they are in the running with four or five teams.

"I don't think it will be a one-horse race this year. It will be tight and hopefully Manchester United will have some competition."

Sorensen knows it is imperative that Sunderland produce their best defensive form against Arsenal to repeat last season's home victory.

He said: "Arsenal haven't scored here in the Premier League and we just need to be solid at the back and make it hard for them.

"It is a home game and we know we will make scoring opportunities. It is a matter of closing things down at the back."

He admitted: "In the game against Manchester United we were punished for defensive mistakes - we gave them too much room.

"Arsenal are probably one of the best teams in the Premiership but it doesn't bother me - I will be disappointed if we don't win.

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