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Kenwyne Jones says he has huge admiration for this weekend's opponents, Arsenal.


But the £6million Black Cats striker still thinks Sunderland can cause them problems at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday if the Wearsiders play to their full potential.

He said: "Arsenal have been the best team to watch for a long time.

"It doesn't matter whether they're winning or losing, it's still great to watch them because their football is fantastic.

"I don't think what they're doing now is anything different to what they've done before, it's just that the results are going their way this time. We know what they can do, but if we go there and do what we can do, we'll have a chance of getting the points."

Whether Jones gets the chance to continue developing his partnership with Michael Chopra in London this weekend remains to be seen.

Against Manchester United, the other big gun Sunderland have played away from home this season, Roy Keane went for a 4-5-1 formation with Jones up front and Chopra on the right wing.

But if the manager does opt to go for Chopra and Jones up front, the big striker feels that a partnership could be emerging which would test any Premiership defence.

He said: "I think we've done well as a partnership so far. The relationship can only get stronger, but I think it's a partnership that can work, one that can produce some good things for the club.

"It can take time to form a new partnership, so I'm sure we'll see things get even better over the coming months.

"I like playing with Michael.

"It's a classic little and large partnership and we do complement each other.

"I hope it can grow into something special."

Jones and Chopra were plucked from the Championship by Keane, like so many of his signings.

And although the manager has invested in potential, Jones is the first to admit that it has not been easy for the remodelled squad as it adjusts to the different challenges presented by life in England's top flight.

The ex-Southampton hitman reflected: "We've produced some performances that have been quite good. But I think our lack of experience in the Premier League is costing us points at the moment. I hope that as the season goes on we will get stronger.

"We are all trying to catch on as quickly as possible to what the Premier League is all about.

"It's true that you get punished for things in the Premier League when it might not be the case in the Championship.

"It's the same whenever you step up a league, it's always different.

"It's happening to us, there's no denying it. I just hope we can start to stamp it out and make the most of this season."