After three games in a week, three away trips including one midweek in Prague, Arsenal with an impressive win against Slavia. Merino, back again, led the line to great effect. The Arsenal in a healthy position to make the automatic knockout rounds following the 3-0 away win.
Then came the late Saturday evening kick off away at the Stadium of Light against newly promoted Sunderland, led by former Gunner Xhaka. For a newly promoted side, Sunderland are head and shoulders above any team that’s come up in recent seasons. Combative, physical, but with some handy players in the side. They make it awkward, tough, and bring such energy around the box.
The game kicked off, but in all honesty, it didn’t really become a match until around half an hour in. A very stop-start opening. The first incident for a long stoppage, Merino caught by former Gunner Ballard at the near post, an elbow catching the Spaniard from a cross. One of those I’ve potentially seen given in the clumsy category but VAR waving it away.
Another stoppage around the 20 minute mark following a head clash meant the game had no real flow or tempo. The commentators confirmed around the 35th minute that the ball had only been in play for thirteen minutes. Sunderland settled into a great defensive shape and, without a striker, basically said: “Break us down if you can.” It would have to be perfect with the way they were set up and executing their plan. Gyokeres, here would of been able to physically battle the centre backs and pin them further back, without him, not afforded that luxury.
The opener came in the 36th minute. Ballard hammering home following a deep free kick put long by the Sunderland keeper into the Arsenal box. The same player competing with Rice for the initial ball, Rice caught under it, the ball headed back to Ballard who made it 1-0 to the home side.
I did feel Craig Pawson the referee had a very inconsistent afternoon officiating wise. Free kicks given easily for non fouls, actual fouls not awarded. The free kick leading to the opener was one of the most baffling yellow cards, let alone fouls. Zubimendi doing his role, mopping up as Sunderland looked to counter, a block tackle, cleanly winning the ball. Pawson, as we know, gave the free kick and yellow card to our Spanish midfielder.
We did forge a chance late in the half, in the considerably long added time. A ball swept into the box, Saka nodding down for Saliba to hit over the bar, but down at the halftime break.
The team looked tired in a tough place, against a good side. It did look an uphill mission to get back into this one. But that’s exactly what happened. The team came out for the first half hour of the second half the dominant side, pressuring Sunderland to play in their half.
It was the Gunners who imposed their game, unlike the first half. An early Zubimendi chance straight at the keeper showed intent. Sunderland started taking chances on the ball with the confidence of a lead, but this played into Arsenal’s hands, stealing the ball a few times in their half before the equaliser.
The goal came from pressing higher up, Rice using his great timing to take the ball from a Sunderland attacker caught in his own half. Arsenal on the front foot, 3 v 2 on the turnover. The ball found Eze, Eze into Merino, Saka overlapping. The timing of the pass perfect, the finish exquisite. Such a small target to find, but Bukayo did, firing low at the near post.
1-1 and game on. The player leading the charge, Trossard. A patchy first half for the Belgian, but in the second, our biggest threat around the Sunderland box. Able to find clever passes, including one to Zubimendi, taking out three Sunderland players. The ball rolled into the six yard box, but the shot just pulled wide.
We hit the bar around the 65th minute, Zubimendi cleverly following up on the edge of the box, the ball bouncing out to him, cleared by Sunderland. So close to the lead.
The lead eventually came around ten minutes later. Trossard unleashing an unbelievable strike on the edge of the box, rising as it hit the back of the net. The ball with him on the edge, quick feet against his defender to open the window, firing a shot reminiscent of the style of Arshavin back in 2009. Unstoppable.
So a lead and for the Arsenal stick or twist for a third goal or see the game out relying on the defence. Sunderland, with nothing to lose, more energy in reserves, fired on by the crowd, replaced their whole front line.
A few half chances for the home side, but all in all, we kept them low on good chances. In fact, ultimately just three on target in the match. A chance from a long throw, Raya saving well on the line, but the flag was up.
At this point, still no substitutes. And with the lack of attacking threat, not really anyone you could put on to sit on the halfway line and go long on the counter. Martinelli here would have been perfect. We did make our first and only change in the 88th minute, Eze for Mosquera. Perhaps one more defensive sub, say Zubimendi for a Hincapie or White, but changes to influence the tide of the game were lacking. Three games in a week showing.
So close, so far, a Sunderland equaliser late on. The usually reliable defensive solidity lacking. Raya perhaps caught in two minds, always wanting to be aggressive coming out, beaten by a flick off the ball from Sunderland’s Brobbey, who outmuscled Gabriel. It came from a ball floated in, Ballard again instrumental, flicking the ball on for the Sunderland striker with an acrobatic finish.
We actually did have a late, late opportunity to steal the game. Saka floating a cross to the back post, the always attacking threat Calafiori heading towards goal, Roefs saving well. The ball bounced out to Merino, composing himself to finish, and Ballard making a great block to save his side and the scoreline at 2-2.
A game of fine margins, maybe one too many with the attacking injuries at the moment. A tough game, probably tactically and physically the toughest of the season so far. In reality, this could be a big point come the end of the season. They’ll take points off rivals and, as we’ve seen, have had big performances already, recently at Stamford Bridge.
Now, I don’t usually look forward to the international break, but for us, it’s probably come at the right time. Take stock of the last period, a time where we’ve had a multitude of injuries. And to be top is a great place to be, with so much attacking flair and options to come back into the side, especially ahead of the North London derby. Big games coming up on the return after the break, including Bayern and Chelsea following the North London derby. A fully fit, firing Arsenal will be more than welcome with the tests coming up.
Until the next one, have a great few weeks.
The View From Block 107 