Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1: Three more goals, three more points

Henry - A brace of goals for the maestro

Sunderland used to be one of the biggest Clubs in England and still have that sort of potential, but unfortunately for them they don’t have a team to match, and haven’t had so for some time now. Rock bottom of the League and already knocked out of the League Cup by our youngsters. This can’t then have been a fixture that they relished too much.

Would Van Persie start today was the pre-match pub talk, as well as condemnations of the ongoing drivel coming from motor mouth at the Bridge. Any kid who’d had the initiative to take a Guy dressed as Maureen Yo to Highbury today and begged for pennies could probably have bought himself a season ticket on the proceeds – but alas I didn’t see one.

To the delight of many Robin started and Lehmann returned to the line up and just for once both teams turned out in white shorts, so just why teams can’t wear their proper colours more often remains a mystery. Henry was caught offside early in the proceedings with Sunderland pushing high up the pitch, two more offsides against Henry were interspersed by some poor kicking by keeper Alnwick and a shot just wide from Reyes. It was looking like the usual Arsenal, comfortable but lacking penetration until Gael Clichy hit Van Persie with a peachy through ball that he chested on and finished in that cool controlled but powerful style of his. 1-0 Arsenal and a really nice goal it was to open proceedings after about twelve minutes.

Cesc to Thierry, to Cesc who had his shot blocked but nearly scored off the rebound that went wide. Reyes to Van Persie with an almost perfect ball. Reyes won the ball fairly and Alan Wiley, performing to his usual low standard, gave a free kick to Sunderland and had words with Jose, the West stand told Wiley what they thought. Sunderland won a corner and the Clock End had their turn to moan at Wiley. His use of ‘advantage’ today was totally incomprehensible but also strange were our numerous offsides. Reyes and Henry twice were caught offside in quick succession, it was almost as if John Hartson had been called back for a bit of coaching. Sol was penalised for winning a header while his opponent made a back. We were in control and knocking it about but the normal 4-5-1 for the away team didn’t aid our cause.

Van Persie - On target yet again

Van Persie had a great moment when he turned the full back inside out, but his cross was too easy for the keeper. A line ball for Lauren on the overlap by Van Persie saw Henry making ground in the area, a sweet cross by Lauren was touched by a defender but Superman adjusted his body to knock it home for our second. 2-0 Arsenal and game over nearly. Henry to Reyes to win a corner as we pressed forward towards the North Bank. Sol set up Cesc for a bending shot but it went too high.

Reyes was down after being hit by Stead. It wasn’t a dirty game and it was none too easy either, because the men in red and white stripes were working hard. They just couldn’t keep the ball when they won it back and our touch was good today so we had a lot of possession. Henry at last timed his run to win a corner, which he took and went for a shot at the far post but had too much weight on the ball. Two minutes added time and a Reyes chip wasn’t read by Titi who was getting back to his old self and looking sharp. Van Persie definitely takes the pressure off Henry because he’s such a threat himself all the time.

Half time and an announcement that Frank McLintock would be making an appearance between 11.30 and 1 on the 18th. December, the day we are due to beat the Chavs, in the Arsenal shop. For a review of Frank’s book go here.

Sunderland replaced Andy Gray with Elliott after the break and it has to be said they also upped their work rate. But working hard and winning the ball from an Arsenal side in passing mode are two quite different things. I’ve no idea why but it seemed to me that more fans than normal were ejected from the away section today – can anyone throw any light on that?

Cesc did great to keep control whilst being fouled but again no advantage was given. In fact the only time Wiley played advantage it came to nothing but he didn’t pull play back. Van Persie was caught offside. Play was then pulled back yet again when an advantage was on, has Wiley ever played the game? We were in control without breaking them down while they looked happy to keep it at 2-0 without chancing their arm going forward. They did have some tall players however so a set play was always our biggest danger. Arsenal’s neat passing continued as Miller replaced Nosworthy.

A something out of nothing chance came with a Van Persie trademark 180-degree turn that was quickly followed by a shot that went just wide. Not only is Robin showing class he is also a serious threat to anyone. Van Persie forced another save before Reyes was replaced by the confident Eboue. Thierry went for the miracle goal when he appeared to set himself up for a classic overhead scissors shot that skimmed the outside of the post, had it come off it would have been brilliant. That said he could have controlled it the easy way and had a better chance of scoring.

Gilberto in the thick of the action

Both teams were working hard and Arsenals fullbacks were both showing their ability to get forward. More offsides against Pires, Van Persie and Woods. Dennis then replaced Robin and our shot count dropped. With a lull in play the West Stand did their best to out-chant the North Bank. Kolo and Gilberto had an unlikely attacking move but Sunderland won a rare corner and scored from the set play. Murphy hit it to the far post where as usual an unmarked player was given the time and space to head it down for Stubbs to stab home. 2-1 and they hadn’t had a sniff until now.

The game opened up for a short while and was still fully committed as when Le Tallec had his foot in Toure’s face. A fine Clichy solo before Dennis won a corner. Eboue and Dennis combined well. More good play from Arsenal came to nothing as Sunderland broke away. The killer goal came when Cesc hit a lovely ball through to Titi in a central position and he took it on and slid it low under the keeper. Normal service and control was resumed at 3-1.

Henry played keepy-uppy on his run down our left flank but with no Van Persie we were passing across the edge of their box again instead of firing in shots. Cesc and Eboue played some one-twos on the edge of their box, Cesc was axed and this set up a chance for Henry from the free kick. But the wall advanced enough to block his kick. Lauren to Eboue to Dennis and he had to score but somehow the keeper saved. It was left to Sol to cover a late punt upfield but the game had been won long before the final whistle anyway.

So for a brief period of time we’ve crept back up to third place in the League but could drop as far a sixth when the other teams play their matches. Still we’re going in the right direction again. Shame about all the fecking international matches, which will screw up our rhythm again, isn’t it?