By Nick Lander
A stubborn Sunderland held Arsenal to an opening day draw this afternoon. The visitors came for a point, rigidly sticking to their game plan, achieving their aim. That they were wasting time at all opportunities in the first half of the first game of the season perhaps says something about their aims for the season though.
The game did not start as it meant to go on, Sunderland had some early opportunities as Arsenal settled down, James McLean forced a good save out of Wojciech Szczesney, the only real action he had to make all game, before debutant Santi Cazorla forcing a brilliant save from Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal, who tipped a fierce, swerving and dipping effort, unleashed from 25 yards, over the bar.
Cazorla came close again, Gervinho - who was lively throughout, though there was too little end product - cut the ball back, and the Spaniard fired just wide, with Lukas Podolski in attendance too, perhaps the playmaker could have left it. Nevertheless, it was a decent enough effort.
Abou Diaby was the next to go close, a surging run from midfield saw him unleash a shot from just outside the area, which Mignolet got down to well, tipping it around his right post.
Podolski was largely quiet, but went close from a free kick early in the second half. Before being replaced on the hour by fellow debutant Olivier Giroud. Giroud was immediately involved, caressing a volley over the bar under pressure after a good cross by Carl Jenkinson.
Aaron Ramsey came on for Diaby just before and Andrei Arshavin came on just after. Both looking on much better form than they have been for the Gunners of late. An increased desire and work rate from Arshavin being particularly noticeable, if he can keep that up throughout the season, he could turn out to be a key player.
Arsenal summoned just one more chance, again falling to Giroud. The Frenchman made a superb run in behind the defence, and Cazorla slipped him in with a sublime pass. The striker was well onside and in acres of space, but rushed his shot, firing into the side netting, when he really should have scored. Though, to be fair to him, it did come on his weaker right foot.
Arsenal's last meaningful effort of the game, which concluded an encouraging, dominant performance, which was not at all reflected by the scoreline. Sunderland came to get a point, and did defend well, rigidly sticking to their 4-1-4-1 formation, denying Arsenal the space in the final third that they so craved.
Whilst 0-0 was not the result that any Gooners were hoping for, the performance showed a little of what is to come. In a team that has an essentially new spine to it, the signs are more than promising, and I am sure that the cutting edge and finishes will come as the side get used to playing with each other. Stoke will be a tough proposition next week, and with Alex Song's move to Barcelona now confirmed, it would be helpful to see a new defensive addition. You can read my scouting article on who could be coming in as a replacement here.
Trivia of the week: Both Andrei Arshavin and Per Mertesacker's last competitive action for Arsenal came away at Sunderland. Returns.
Arsenal Player Ratings: Szczesney 6, Jenkinson 7, Mertesacker 7, Vermaelen 7, Gibbs 8, Diaby 7 (Ramsey 6), Arteta 7, Walcott 7 (Arshavin 6), Cazorla 9, Gervinho 6, Podolski 6 (Giroud 7)
My man of the match was Santi Cazorla (left). He was by far the most influential player on the pitch, and played an amazing 7 key passes. He was also solid defensively and had probably the most testing shot of the game. £12/15m he's a bargain. Will be in my fantasy football team by next week. Probably. Great all round performance.
Join the N5 Blog's fantasy football league on the Premier League website using league code 13667-212189
Keep up to date by liking the Facebook page and by following me on Twitter - @Goonernl.
Cazorla came close again, Gervinho - who was lively throughout, though there was too little end product - cut the ball back, and the Spaniard fired just wide, with Lukas Podolski in attendance too, perhaps the playmaker could have left it. Nevertheless, it was a decent enough effort.
Abou Diaby was the next to go close, a surging run from midfield saw him unleash a shot from just outside the area, which Mignolet got down to well, tipping it around his right post.
Podolski was largely quiet, but went close from a free kick early in the second half. Before being replaced on the hour by fellow debutant Olivier Giroud. Giroud was immediately involved, caressing a volley over the bar under pressure after a good cross by Carl Jenkinson.
Aaron Ramsey came on for Diaby just before and Andrei Arshavin came on just after. Both looking on much better form than they have been for the Gunners of late. An increased desire and work rate from Arshavin being particularly noticeable, if he can keep that up throughout the season, he could turn out to be a key player.
Arsenal summoned just one more chance, again falling to Giroud. The Frenchman made a superb run in behind the defence, and Cazorla slipped him in with a sublime pass. The striker was well onside and in acres of space, but rushed his shot, firing into the side netting, when he really should have scored. Though, to be fair to him, it did come on his weaker right foot.
Arsenal's last meaningful effort of the game, which concluded an encouraging, dominant performance, which was not at all reflected by the scoreline. Sunderland came to get a point, and did defend well, rigidly sticking to their 4-1-4-1 formation, denying Arsenal the space in the final third that they so craved.
Whilst 0-0 was not the result that any Gooners were hoping for, the performance showed a little of what is to come. In a team that has an essentially new spine to it, the signs are more than promising, and I am sure that the cutting edge and finishes will come as the side get used to playing with each other. Stoke will be a tough proposition next week, and with Alex Song's move to Barcelona now confirmed, it would be helpful to see a new defensive addition. You can read my scouting article on who could be coming in as a replacement here.
Trivia of the week: Both Andrei Arshavin and Per Mertesacker's last competitive action for Arsenal came away at Sunderland. Returns.
My man of the match was Santi Cazorla (left). He was by far the most influential player on the pitch, and played an amazing 7 key passes. He was also solid defensively and had probably the most testing shot of the game. £12/15m he's a bargain. Will be in my fantasy football team by next week. Probably. Great all round performance.
Join the N5 Blog's fantasy football league on the Premier League website using league code 13667-212189
Keep up to date by liking the Facebook page and by following me on Twitter - @Goonernl.
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