Sunderland fell to a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon
Though the end result was Sunderland’s winless run on the road extending, this had a very different feel to the defeats at Brentford and West Ham United.
Here Sunderland were spirited, tenacious and for large parts composed - beaten by an incredibly high-class side who looked every inch Champions in waiting. Sunderland had kept the dangerous hosts at arm’s length for much of the first half, the deadlock broken by a fine strike from distance from Martin Zubimendi.
And though the Black Cats responded gamely after the break, one error in possession was all it took for Arsenal to all but end the game as a contest. Sunderland did not play poorly by any stretch, but struggle to create against a side whose strength out of possession is every inch as impressive as their quick passing. This was merely a game in which the gulf to the very best was laid bare, Mikel Arteta’s side ending the game with complete dominance even if the third goal on the break felt a touch harsh on Sunderland.
While it had looked as if it could be a long afternoon for the Black Cats when Kai Havertz headed wide from a promising position inside the first minute, Sunderland were actually able to make a composed start to the game. They even had the best early chance of the openign stages, Havertz clearing well just in front of his own goal line after David Raya had spilled a free kick into the heart of the box. Brobbey was there to meet it, but couldn't make the connection he needed to force it home.
Sunderland were mostly defending in a low block, but were able to see enough of the ball to take the sting out of the occasion. Arsenal did slowly begin to take control of the contest, and the challenge for Sunderland was that after that initial wobble Raya never erred in dealing with set plays. His distribution was exceptional, the hosts often never more dangerous than when Sunderland had a set piece and left the space in which they could break.
Roefs nevertheless remained largely untested, even if Hume nearly scored an own goal when he hacked a cross from Madueke just over his own bar. Arsenal's best opening of the opening half an hour came when Enzo Le Fee was forced off the pitch after a head injury, Declan Rice finding space on the edge of the area and smashing one just wide of the far post. It would prove to be an omen for Sunderland, who despite a spirited first-half performance when Zubimendi found a pocket of space on the edge of the box. Diarra and Le Fee rushed out to try and close him down but took the half chance first time and cut across the ball, an exquisite effort that beat Roefs at his near post. Such was the precision of the effort however, striking the inside of the post before finding the far corner, that it was difficult to blame either goalkeeper or defender.
Sunderland had to dig in to get to the break just one down, Jesus drawing a penalty when he was bundled over by Ballard only for the offside flag to spare Sunderland's blushes. Raya then gathered a shot from Diarra before springing Arsenal clear, Havertz curling an effort just wide of the far post with Roefs rooted to the spot. That was the challenge of the half in a nutshell for Sunderland, who had to try and force their way back into the box while not overcommitting.
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There was real encouragement for Sunderland at the start of the second half, Raya making a solid stop from Talbi’s effort on the edge of the area before a strong challenge from Gabriel prevented Hume from getting a shot on goal. Though Raya wasn’t again tested, the opening twenty minutes of the half were largely encouraging in how Sunderland were able to get on the ball and up the pitch. Arsenal, though, were ruthless. A loose pass from Mukiele allowed Trossard to find Havertz, whose clever pass found substitute Gyokeres free in the box. Roefs got a hand to his effort, but couldn’t prevent it from flying into the back of the net.
The goal perhaps inevitably took the wind out of Sunderland’s sails, with Arsenal taking almost complete control of the contest. The visitors flickered briefly on the break but Arteta’s side managed the game with relative ease, rarely giving up the ball saw out the closing stages.
Though the third goal was harsh on Sunderland after a spirited effort, it wasn’t an unfair reflection of the strength with which Arsenal had dominated the latter stages. Sunderland looked tired as a long ball into the box turned into an Arsenal break, the visitors lacking the energy of strength in the end to resist Arsenal’s substitutes.
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