According to my son, who was standing on the lower tier of the North Bank, the Arsenal players went through a number of warm up drills which included a series of long range shooting. A precursor for the game ahead perhaps?
As it was the Gunners almost took an early lead from a header inside the 1st minute when Trossard popped up on the right escaping the attention of the many rather large Sunderland defenders and chipped an inviting cross into the Wearsiders box where an unmarked Kai Havertz headed wide. I couldn’t help feeling that that should have been a goal.
Sunderland, like Chelsea, came with a back-five, but unlike Chelsea they attacked and after initially slowing the game down, gave as good as they got. Arteta had made several changes from the Chelsea game with Calafiori starting at left-back whilst up front Trossard, Jesus and Havertz came in with Martinelli, Eze and Gyokeres dropping out.
Sunderland won a free kick some 30 odd yards from goal around 8 minutes and as it was lofted into the Arsenal box the northern giants threw themselves at the cross, Raya bravely went for it and won it but Ballard, leading with his elbow knocked him flying and the ball fell to Brobbery who seemed to have an open goal. Havertz managed to divert the poorly struck shot to safety but it was a warning.
For the next 20 minutes or so the two teams traded blows, literally in the case of wobbly Brobbery who gave Saliba a deep examination of his defensive qualities. Big Bill came out on top but not by a lot. It was an intriguing battle, both intent on exchanging shirts before half-time.
Trossard seemed to have been given a free rein to wander early in the game with Jesus pulling out to the left wing. Great work by Leo, who escapes opponents like an eel, saw him feed Declan Rice on the half hour and Dec bent a beauty of a shot which skimmed the far post, his expression told us how close it was.
The contest was fairly equal up till the last 5 minutes of the first half, Sunderland at one point had Arsenal pressed into our own half in much the same way the Gunners have perfected. Sunderland have a poor away record but they weren’t showing it then on 42 minutes Leo struck. Trossard worked his magic out on the left flank drawing defenders to him and just opening enough space for him to switch an inviting pass inside to Zubimendi. Martin sliced his shot towards the near post deliberately wrong-footing the goalkeeper and it flew into the net off the inside of the post. Zubi then did his Merino dance around the corner flag in honour of his friend who was in the stand.
A minute later as Sunderland kicked off and flooded forward, the Gunners hit them on the break, Trossard again won possession, found Havertz who quickly knocked the ball into the Sunderland half for Jesus, who was loitering on the halfway line, to chase. As Jesus sped into the Sunderland box Ballard clumsily brought him down and the referee pointed to the spot. Only then did the linesman raise his flag, so of course it went to VAR. To me, as an unbiased observer, it looked as if the outstretched arm of the Sunderland defender on the halfway line played Jesus on, but the VAR wouldn’t listen to me.
Into added time Havertz made some space for himself just around the edge of the penalty area and bent a delightful shot around the goalkeeper. Unfortunately it bent the wrong side of the post and left Kai holding his head in disbelief.
H/T 1-0
Sunderland, no doubt with their managers words ringing in their ears, came flying out of the blocks as the 2nd half kicked off. A succession of dangerous long passes flew into the Arsenal box causing consternation among the fans. It was a tricky period but the boys held their nerve. Havertz came close on 53 minutes following a few challenges in the Sunderland penalty area where a Sunderland defender fell in a dramatic fashion, the expected free kick didn’t materialise but fortunately for the ref Kai missed otherwise it would have been bedlam.
On the hour Arteta made a couple of expected changes when the disappointing Jesus and Madueke were withdrawn for Martinelli and Gyokeres. Immediately the Sunderland defence had two forwards prepared to run beyond them into space forcing them to drop deeper. The fresh legs brought a fresh attacking impetus as Arsenal forced Sunderland deeper and deeper and on 66 minutes we got the vital 2nd goal. Trossard once more instigated proceedings along with Calafiori and Rice pinning the Wearsiders in, Havertz then pushed a pass into the middle of the penalty area and Gyokeres found some space to turn and shoot as he slipped, but thankfully found the net.
Almost immediately Arteta took off Havertz and Calafiori, protecting them for the battles ahead and brought on Hincapie and Eze. Sunderland still gave a good account of themselves but maybe the edge was gone from their game and Arsenal managed out time. On 84 minutes a Rice corner flew across the face of the Sunderland goal but nobody in a red shirt could get a touch. Trossard got a knock on 89 and was replaced by Norgaard and we were into added time.
Sunderland threw their last reserves at us but predictably it broke down on the hill of the Gunners rearguard and after one such clearance it fell to Martinelli just inside the Arsenal half. Gabby sprinted away, rounded the desperate attempts of the last Sunderland defender and knocked a simple pass for Gyokeres, who was in support, to address the coup de grace. 3-0, job done, onto the next one.
Afterwards Arteta, who is usually calm and composed, seemed a little relieved and complimented the Wearsiders, he knew it had been a tough tough battle. Villa dropped points so now it’s over to Anfield this afternoon. Liverpool need to win to close up on Chelsea and Man Utd for a top four finish. Saying that, I think five Champions League places are on offer this season.
We march on…