Arsenal 2 – Sunderland 1: Who Else, but Van Persie?

By: Darren_v | October 16th, 2011

Coming off a long and quiet International break, Arsenal were facing Sunderland at home in the Sunday sun in what could have been billed as a ‘relegation’ match as both clubs were mired in the bottom quarter of the table. Arsenal having started the season in their worst form since 1974, a win was an absolute must for the men in red and white.

Van Persie Does it Again

The game had barely started, and Arsenal were ahead in fantastic fashion. Rosicky flicked the ball into space for Gervinho who ran onto it, side passed it across to Van Persie who allowed the ball to run across him, and his right footed shot found the bottom right hand corner for a terrific start to the game. The game had only been on for twenty-eight seconds and Sunderland’s first meaningful touch of the ball was to pick it out of their net.

Arsenal would keep it coming as they were giving Sunderland no time on the ball and pressing very well. Song would have a long through ball from half that narrowly missed the run by Walcott, and Gervinho was causing O’Shea problems on the left flank. Shortly after, Arteta slid a pass to the top of the box and Van Persie had a beautiful drag around the defender and into the box and his right-footed chip looked like a beautiful goal, only to see it deflect off the post and bounce along the line before it was finally cleared by a harried Sunderland keeper. Would’ve been a goal of the season contender, but that’s how fine the margins are.

Van Persie wasn’t done there however; Taking a pass from the flank, Van Persie dropped his shoulder, allowed the ball to roll across his body to create separation from Wes Brown and his effort from 25 yards out just missed the left hand post. Van Persie was up for this game and looking incredibly dangerous, while Sunderland looked completely out of their depth, barely able to connect more than two passes in succession.

For 25 minutes Arsenal were absolutely dominant and you felt as though this could be a rout, and then Arsenal’s frailties came around yet again, as they do every match. Arteta was called for a handball just outside the Arsenal box, and former Arsenal man Seb Larsson curled a brilliant free kick into the top left hand corner of the net with the keeper having no chance whatsoever. And as is the Arsenal way, confidence in the red and white looks beleaguered from conceded yet another set piece. Sunderland would control the remainder of the half, with Jenkinson getting caught in possession on the flank and the counter would have a cross find ‘Joey Barton-lite’ Lee Cattermole all alone at the back post from 3 yards, but Szczesny scrabbled across to deny Sunderland a sure-fire lead; you will be hard pressed to find a better save this season (I think I’ve written this three times about Szczesny already this season). Just before half-time, Sunderland would find space on the left from slack concentration on a free kick, and the cross would find Larsson who headed knocked down would fall to Colback and he blazed over from eight yards; lady-luck sparing Arsenal. Half-time came and Arsenal looked thankful.

Half-Time Stats
Arsenal         Sunderland
85% Pass Accuracy 73%
70% Ariel Duals 30%
7   Total Shots   5
2   On Target 2
66% Possession   34%

The second half would start with Arsenal on top, lurking in and around the Sunderland area, but never really threatening the Sunderland defense and keeper. Sunderland were doing a good job of defending and using fouls to break up play, and Arsenal were extremely wasteful with every corner and free kick; yet another new Arsenal trademark of seasons past. As free kick after free kick was skied into the the North Bank, you really had to wonder if they ever attempted free kicks in practice, not to mention corners. Gervinho would come off after 67 minutes for Andrei Arshavin and he would have a couple runs off the flanks, troubling the defense and narrowly toe-poking a shot wide. After 77 minutes, Arsenal’s only midfielder creating anything all game Tomas Rosicky, was surprisingly taken off for Yossi Benayoun.

It was looking like Arsenal were going to drop more points and have to endure more misery, and then Robin Van Persie stepped up yet again. After getting fouled at the edge of the box on the left hand side, Van Persie stepped up and curled a beautiful trade-mark free kick into the top of the left hand side, sending everyone into a frenzy, and Arsenal were on top.

Sunderland would start lumping the ball into the Arsenal box, as let’s face it, it’s best way to attack Arsenal, but a combination of Santos, Mertesacker and Koscielny would clear all danger and Arsenal would see the strangely long five minutes of extra time out.

Full-Time Stats
Arsenal    Sunderland
86% Pass Accuracy 75%
75% Ariel Duals     25%
21    Total Shots     8
5   On Target     2
63%   Possession    37%

Player Ratings:

Szczesny 6. Had an Almunia-like run about in the first half and was luckily not punished for. No chance on the goal, and not much else to do except his wonder save.

Jenkinson 7. Got caught a couple times in the first half and his inexperience showed, but had a good 2nd. Best crosser of the ball in the the squad it seems, and there is potential.

Mertesacker 7. Mostly good, got some fouls against him trying to be aggressive and anticipate but just a little too slow. I still like his game if others don’t.

Koscielny 7. A quiet game, which is what you want from your centre-backs. I don’t think he knows how to use his left foot at all.

Gibbs 6.5. Started well, intercepting passes, and then tailed off in the 2nd as Arsenal faltered and he was found wanting. Went off early in the 2nd half, not sure why but I fear injury.

Song 7.5. Played his favored position and played very well, breaking up plays and turning exceptionally well with the ball in the middle of the field.

Arteta 6. Just an average game from Arteta. Keeps the ball moving, doesn’t lose it but doesn’t really do much with the ball. He seems to play at one speed all game long and while solid, never forces the issue on the opposition, always turning back from the goal.

Rosicky 7.5. Was the engine in the Arsenal game, always looking to create and drive forward. Drew fouls and his attempts didn’t always come off, but he worked hard and looked positive. Good display.

Walcott 6. It’s what Theo is. He is a threat, but the game can pass him by. It’s either a great few moments for him, or a a few head scratching moments.

Gervinho 6.5. Looked up for it the first half, didn’t see him in the second.

Van Persie 9. MOTM. The Arsenal saviour and is head and shoulders the best out field player. It’s not even close. 2 goals and a post.

Santos 7. Did a great job breaking up plays when he came on. Very solid both ways and didn’t do anything wrong the whole time. I was impressed.

Benayoun. 5. No idea why he came on for Rosicky and did nothing useful but nearly sending Sunderland in all alone but for a Walcott tackle in the box.

Arshavin 7. Worked hard and created when he game on. Looked up for it.

Arsenal are now out of the dregs of the table, into 10th place. Not a stellar performance (again) but the three points are in the bank and we have Champions League football to look forward to in the mid week.

Up the Arse!

Some Related Stories:

Category: Arsenal News

« Liveblog! Arsenal-Sunderland | Home | News Roundup: RvP Stuff, Injuries, etc. »

Perry S.

Up the Arse!
Bumblefock

do you know if this is available for free anywhere? - http://www.arsenal.com/news/ne...
Walterb

Brilliant opening goal, impressive first twenty or so minutes and then, as we all feared, everything started to fall apart - but all's well that ends well, thanks to RVP. Thought Rossicky had his best game in years, perhaps he'll become again the player he was. And Arshavin's cameo was a pleasant surprise, so perhaps likewise from him. The big let-down was the non-progressive passing (apart from first twenty minutes): nothing incisive, everything sideways or backwards. Most annoying player is Theo because he has the speed to go by anyone. He should be encouraged to be much more selfish, beat people and head for goal, shoot if he has half a chance and pass only as a last resort. Like Arjen Robbin.
ballyanking

Well VP gets Wenger out of jail yet again and the three points are very welcome.
But lets face it, this is just papering over the cracks. Wenger really has no
clue about the best line up, tatics or how to alter a game. Just look at today!
How the hell can he leave Ox out of the squad again for dross such as Walcott
and Rosicky (one of his very rare decent performances today) or loan players
like Benayoun who have no effect on the team. Arteta proved yet again that he is
well past his prime with a very poor perfomance and his free kicks were comical.
How in the hell did Theo stay on for the whole game????? Does Wenger watch
something different to the rest of us???? Gervino was far more effective than
Walcott and was once gain subbed first. Then we are desperate for a goal, so he
takes off Gervino and brings on Arhsavin who for a change looked intrested but
then totally ignores our other goal scoring option in Park (3 goals for Korea
last week) and brings on Benayoun????????? NOT A CLUE!!! Yet again it`s the same
players who scraped us a result against one of the poorest teams i have seen in
the Prem for many a year. Shez was top draw and kept us in it early on. Kos
covered Saker spuds time and time again, Jenkinson was impressive going forward
but still a little niave defending but you can not fault his effort and desire.
Song did a good holding job and created a bit and VP is our star. Walcott,
totally ineffective, Lazy and should be benched for a few week`s to get some
desire back. Arteta is well past his best and often found himself behind Song as
a holding midfielder…..replacement for Cesc?….Don`t make me laugh. Yet another
£10 million wasted by Wenger. So to sum up, Great 3 points some stand out
performances, but i fear for us when we have to play any of the quality teams in
the Prem!
Kel

three points all well and good But the opposition like Bolton were very average and we struggled to beat them NOT good at all..............
Acko No1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Darren_V

Wow guys. I must profusely apogolize for the amount of errors in the match report.
That was horrible and embarassing.
Martin

You misspelled embarrassing.
Darren_V

.....I know... sigh.
Martin

Thought about making some other jackass, nit-picky joke about misuse of ellipses, but figured enough is enough.
Homey_Mills

You're really enjoying being a regular reader and not a blogger, huh? The peanut gallery can be fun.
JG

Just saw a Youtube video of a similar rocket RvP freekick against Sunderland, back in October 2007. Wenger... dear lord. It's only been 4 years. The man looks like he's aged 20.
vHF

What does Rosicky have to do to get an 8.0?
Darren_V

Produce more end product.
Kas123

Good Game today, Great Three points, Overall not a bad display. Thank U RVP, the Arsenal Messiah. I agree with what a few people said, Walcott and Gervinho should prob not play together because its a waste to have two poor wingers on at the same time. I do think Gerv will get better tho. Walcott on the other hand, I don't know, I think he's peaked at Arsenal. I just watched the ROMA vs Lazio Derby. One question, Why didn't we sign Klose when he was a free agent? I mean the guy still got it he has 4 goals in 6 games, and great goals I must add.
Mike Howells

Wonder if this improves the chances of RvP re-signing. Like the episode of the Simpsons where Homer drops to his knees and tells Marge to stay with him because no one in the world could possibly need her more.
Mike Howells

Liked Arshavin and Rosicky. Would enjoy seeing the veterans show the young kids how it's done.
Bumblefock

as i said before and i still stick to this - this will be/should be the season when our veterans lead the team. because they know that if it's not them it's probably nobody. and then, they understand not many years are left for them in top class football.
Rico

I feel you were generous giving Walcott a 6, I didn't see him do much today, I think Jenk was actually carrying him at some spells. I saw him screaming at Jenk to pass the ball to him (while jenk was on a good run forward) once Walcott got it he done absolutely nothing with it. Disappointed with Walcott, maybe he should leave the book writing to the professionals and stick to playing football.
Gibbs was taking off for god knows what reason, my guess is injury and are we shocked?, I think its time to give the first place spot to Santos. He played well.

A good result regardless and did we all see the other results? Newcastle drew 2-2 with spuds, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Man Utd, a good 2 points drop for our 4 place finish.
bobjcanada

i was a the game; my first time; great experience

a few of my comments;

RVP; on fire
Song; great defending, but Eboue-like across the centre line
Rosicky; worked like a a dog; (very un-arsenal-like); but, as usual, nothing came of it
Arshavin; tried hard; the only player we have who doesn't curl up and cry and throw the ball away when there's a defender in front of him
Arteta; ho-hum
Wojo; we're going to so miss him when someone else snaps him up
Pers; steady
Kocieslny; steady
Jenkinson; pretty good
theo; must have the plague; no one will pass to him
caligunner

midfield looked very sharp at the start, led by Rosicky, finding Gervinho in tons of space down the left side. The result overall was very good after a very poor mental recovery from Sunderland's goal against the run of play. The side was deflated and the midfield play was slow (Arteta) and sloppy (Jenks, Song) in that period to close the first half.

We saw the problem, tactically, when you play Gervinho and Walcott, in that they don't link play very well between defense and attack. The midfield became very congested and the wide players either didn't come to the ball or didn't have any forward thrust when they had it. Arshavin's introduction was the key change and Arsenal looked much more likely following this move.

Plenty of positives from this one, with the defense looking solid and assured for most of the match. Jenkinson had a great second half and looked much more confident taking the space that the defense was giving him.

Biggest worry is the lack of mental strength to recover from a goal against the run of play. Arsenal gave up two big chances after Larsen's goal and a side with more quality will take at least one of those. Not sure what it will take to instill the kind of confidence that will lead to a quicker recovery after these inevitable blows, but Arsene needs to figure it out fast.
Martin

Despite it all, we're just 4 points behind Liverpool.
caligunner

there is quite a bit of mediocrity after the first three. The only comfort to the start of the season.
Gigi_man

THIS WAS MEANT AS AN ANSWER TO ORION

I agree a little with you and a little with Tomisin.
I think he still needs ime, ut also that he had a more "do it all" role at Everton, maye he is just not ued to having better talent (no offense to Everton) at his sides? So, he maybe wasnt truly a creative than for himself?
Orion

Yep, I had that in mind. But at this point in time, I'm not sure where we stand in terms of quality when we compare ourselves with Everton. Maybe its all about having the opportunity to learn more about your teammates' style of play.
Gigi_man

thx for the report, thx for the ratings, mostly thx Arsenal for the win!
didnt see the game (for Homeys smile I was at mess :), as didnt see the last win, I have a flight and might not see the Marseille one, and maye its etter for me not to see any match, if they win the ones i dont see.

hoping for Fox to repeat the game though.

RvP scored twice and sad (didnt read it ut the official site says so) that he was comitted to the Arsenal, great Arsenal-RvP week ah?
Tomisin

No offense, but way too many typos Darren.
Darren_V

No offense taken, that was horrid. I apologize!
Orion

Double figures, heck yeah! Aside from the marvelous Robin, Koscielny and Mertesacker were beast-like at the back. I liked what I saw. Considering we lack TV5, it feels refreshing not to be calling for a new centre-back for or for a new goalkeeper for once. The problem with this team seems to be a lack of connection between the midfield trio and RvP. You know, what Cesc used to do. I believe that we're going to buy someone really good in January.

Looking forward to the Marseille game, and the Stoke one after it. Let's hope we put on a series run of results and see what happens. Come on you Gooners.
Lachlan

I agree that we will buy someone good. Here's hoping it is someone really good. I am personally most keen for Gotze. What do you think?
Homey_Mills

Well we're all hoping for that, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I dunno. Someone like that would easily be double the amount of the highest amount spent on a player in Arsenal history. So I'll believe it when I see it.
Lachlan

Do you agree that it will be in that position? Or do you think Wenger will come to rely on the return of Jack Wilshere?
Orion

Keeping our track record with injuries in mind, I sure he does not choose the latter option. I can already see Goetze in an Arsenal shirt.

Wishful thinking is a powerful tool, they say.
Tomisin

Apparently, Arteta is not the creative midfield engine we thought he was
caligunner

seemed like he was playing as the most defensive of the 3 for much of the match, with Song getting further forward. Wenger seems reluctant to play him in the "creative" position behind Van Persie and he has done nothing to prove that he should. That said, I don't think he had a bad game.
Orion

Looking back, I think you're right. Arteta was in Wilshere's position, Rosicky in Cesc's. So really, that seems to put everything much more into perspective.
Orion

Agreed. Maybe he's still getting used to his team mates. Remember, one of Cesc's main strengths was his almost telepathic understanding of his team mates' movements. It takes a lot of time and practice to achieve that ability.
Tomisin

I get the acclimatising thing, but Cesc was in a class of his won. Aren't you hoping for too much from mikel?
Orion

As caligunner pointed out, today, it was Rosicky that was supposed to be in Cesc's role as Arteta was in Wilshere's. And in terms of expectations, he was actually a pretty good playmaker for Everton. We have already seen glimpses of his quality in his first games for Arsenal.
Tomisin

No 3 points have ever felt this good!
Nbanksy

Another very disappointing game for Theo. Didn't deserve a 6 IMHO
caligunner

he is going to struggle until Jenkinson gets more comfortable supporting the attack. Until Carl makes the defense respect him, Theo is going to have problems finding those favorable 1 v 1 matchups against the opposing center half.

Also, Richardson is one of 2-3 fullbacks in the EPL with the pace to track his runs.
Okotdavidalfred

What will the chairman say when you demand for 100,000 per weak like others because they do compare you with best player in the world football.
Nicky

Great display by TR7! fantastic! but yet again RVP's d saviour.. :)
Gigi_man

TR7, like it, is that an answer to CR7? sweet haha
Zamil_m10

quiet*