Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:19 pmArsenal hoped to continue a positive start to the season as they travelled to the Stadium of Light; facing a Sunderland side who won the corresponding fixture last season.
Mr. Wenger chose to stick with the same line-up which demolished Braga 6-0 three days before, including an in-form Jack Wilshere, who many thought would be rested for Tuesday’s match against North London rivals Tottenham:
Arsenal’s first effort on goal came when midweek goal-scorer Marouane Chamakh threaded through Andrey Arshavin who fired over the bar; continuing his inconsistent shooting form.
Their second would result in a much better outcome.
There was little risk when Anton Ferdinand received a Kieran Richardson pass way away from Sunderland’s goal. Cesc Fabregas disagreed. The Arsenal skipper chased down the ball, forcing a sluggish clearance from Ferdinand which luckily struck Cesc’s outstretched leg and looped into the net from 40 yards.
Arsenal Goal:
Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas 12’
How bloody jammy can you get?
It was not all smiles though, as Fabregas seemed to injure himself after his freakish goal, and was later replaced by Tomas Rosicky, with the Czech international also taking on the captaincy.
Sunderland replied well to the goal, creating a number of chances before the break. Nevertheless, Arsenal’s new-look backline, and especially Laurent Koscielny, were in top form, neutralising every Sunderland attack.
The Gunners had some chances of their own, as an Andrey Arshavin cross found Alex Song, whose header was excellently saved by Simon Mignolet; (good bargain on Fantasy Football by the way).
Song and Arshavin again combined as a lethargic Arshavin hammered the ball wide from a Song lay-off.
Our record signing again failed to hit the target when a fine Samir Nasri cross was blazed over the bar. Arsenal and Arshavin would soon rue their missed chances come the end of the game.
Things didn’t get much better, as Alex Song was given his marching orders after two harsh yellow cards. Arsenal didn’t complain (much), and continued to press Sunderland looking for a goal that would surely settle things.
They didn’t have to wait long for a golden opportunity.
Samir Nasri was clipped inside the box by Ahmed Elmohamady, and much to Arsenal’s relief, Phil Dowd pointed to the spot.
Stand-in captain Tomas Rosicky felt it his duty to step up to the spot, much to everyone’s surprise, considering the midfielder hadn’t scored since February, and was still rusty in the shooting department.
This feeling of doubt was justified, as Rosicky chose power over placement and smashed a dreadful penalty over the bar.
Arsenal were still in the lead, but not for long.
Deep into injury time, an attempted Gael Clichy clearance deflected kindly to Darren Bent, who smashed home salvaging a point for Sunderland against his boyhood club, and denying Arsenal a chance to sit at top spot.
Sunderland Goal:
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Darren Bent 90+5’
Two points lost rather than one point gained.
Mr. Wenger chose to stick with the same line-up which demolished Braga 6-0 three days before, including an in-form Jack Wilshere, who many thought would be rested for Tuesday’s match against North London rivals Tottenham:
Arsenal’s first effort on goal came when midweek goal-scorer Marouane Chamakh threaded through Andrey Arshavin who fired over the bar; continuing his inconsistent shooting form.
Their second would result in a much better outcome.
There was little risk when Anton Ferdinand received a Kieran Richardson pass way away from Sunderland’s goal. Cesc Fabregas disagreed. The Arsenal skipper chased down the ball, forcing a sluggish clearance from Ferdinand which luckily struck Cesc’s outstretched leg and looped into the net from 40 yards.
Arsenal Goal:
Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas 12’
How bloody jammy can you get?
It was not all smiles though, as Fabregas seemed to injure himself after his freakish goal, and was later replaced by Tomas Rosicky, with the Czech international also taking on the captaincy.
Sunderland replied well to the goal, creating a number of chances before the break. Nevertheless, Arsenal’s new-look backline, and especially Laurent Koscielny, were in top form, neutralising every Sunderland attack.
The Gunners had some chances of their own, as an Andrey Arshavin cross found Alex Song, whose header was excellently saved by Simon Mignolet; (good bargain on Fantasy Football by the way).
Song and Arshavin again combined as a lethargic Arshavin hammered the ball wide from a Song lay-off.
Our record signing again failed to hit the target when a fine Samir Nasri cross was blazed over the bar. Arsenal and Arshavin would soon rue their missed chances come the end of the game.
Things didn’t get much better, as Alex Song was given his marching orders after two harsh yellow cards. Arsenal didn’t complain (much), and continued to press Sunderland looking for a goal that would surely settle things.
They didn’t have to wait long for a golden opportunity.
Samir Nasri was clipped inside the box by Ahmed Elmohamady, and much to Arsenal’s relief, Phil Dowd pointed to the spot.
Stand-in captain Tomas Rosicky felt it his duty to step up to the spot, much to everyone’s surprise, considering the midfielder hadn’t scored since February, and was still rusty in the shooting department.
This feeling of doubt was justified, as Rosicky chose power over placement and smashed a dreadful penalty over the bar.
Arsenal were still in the lead, but not for long.
Deep into injury time, an attempted Gael Clichy clearance deflected kindly to Darren Bent, who smashed home salvaging a point for Sunderland against his boyhood club, and denying Arsenal a chance to sit at top spot.
Sunderland Goal:
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Darren Bent 90+5’
Two points lost rather than one point gained.
