Arsenal falter in the North East

Arsenal falter in the North East

Postby Gunner Down Under » Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:46 am

Sunderland are officially the first team to not concede against Arsenal, with the Black Cats triumphing 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal were on top on shots, and also on possession, but at the end of the day the team with the most goals won. We really missed Van Persie, his central attacking role, and Eduardo wasn't realy up to it.

Arsenal looked the part in the opening 15 minutes, with Fabregas, Nasri and Tomas having long range shots, all coming close, and testing the North-East defence. Fabregas came in the 5th minute, after Sagna's cross came in, Rosicky overhead kicked it to Fabregas, who tried a first time shot but Fulop was lucky there.

But immediately after these events, Malbranque had shots on the break, but both were off target, but close. He should really have done better in his first attempt, having time and space. But after the 20th minute, Arsenal were on top, with shots criss-crossing the Sunderland goal, with Eduardo, Ramsey and Fabregas adding to the shot tally. Eduardo chipped the ball over Fulop, but his shot drifted to the left, nearly clipping Song and travelling just wide.

Arsenal 9 shots to 2. A goal definitely looked on the cards.

The next real chance in the game came from Reid's free kick, and missed, just wide to the right. But after this Sunderland slowly took control. Reid again tried a shot way out to the left, but it went over, always missing, and Wenger replied to the other, Ramsey for Arshavin, and Campbell on for Malbranque.

But then, came he breakthrough. After a corner, taken by Reid, Bent had a header, but that was going to flash way wide. But instead, Campbell tapped it onto Bent's path, and he got there just before Almunia, and killed it in the top centre of the goal. 1-0 to Sunderland.

Immediately after that, Eduardo went on for Vela, and Walcott on for Rosicky. As I thought, Walcott wouldn't have the best game, just arriving back from injury.

Vermaelen replied after the goal, with an ambitious attempt, from the left side, after Fabregas hit a cross towards him. Arshavin collected a high ball from Song but also missed.

It was definitely one we could have won, and we were unfortunate to say the least to not pick up three, if not any points from the night's work.
A game full of close misses, and one to ponder.
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Re: Arsenal falter in the North East

Postby gzagee » Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:40 am

Cheers for the report man. :thumbsup:
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