Sunderland 1 – 2 Arsenal: Super Subs to the Rescue

By: Darren_v | February 11th, 2012

Arsenal traveled north to face a Sunderland club that has seen a resurgence since installing Martin O’Neil as their manager and it took a two late goal by impact substitutes to come away with the three points. Keep reading for all the glorious heart-stopping action.

Sunderlandwinhenry

Arsene Wenger chose to start the same squad that demolished Blackburn last week with the exception of Francis Coquelin as Bacary Sagna was drafted in for his 2^nd start since his broken leg. Kieran Gibbs was deemed match fit, but had to settle for a place on the bench.

So the match began and really, not a lot happened the first half. With Sunderland coming off a mid-week victory over Middlesborough in extra time, they were always likely to sit back and ‘park the bus’, and that is exactly what they did. Theo Walcott got behind the Sunderland defense once from a nice through ball by van Persie, but while his cross/shot was dangerous, it was neither on net or finding an Arsenal jersey on the end of it, and dribbled out for a goal kick. Otherwise Sunderland allowed Arsenal to play out of the back and when the ball made it to the Arsenal front three, and the final third of the pitch, they applied pressure and tracked very well, forcing Arsenal back to try again.

That’s not to say Sunderland were completely toothless though, as they had a couple half chances to speak of. In the 11^th minute, James McClean got his head on a corner and put it well over. A couple minutes later, after a terrible giveaway by Song, the Sunderland attackers forced the Arsenal back line into a melee and eventually earned another corner, which came to nothing. Sunderland also had a penalty kick shout for handball that would have been completely understandable if it was given, when some bloke sent an aimless cross into the box where only Per Mertesacker was. The Big Friendly German decided to chest it down to his feet, stumbled and the ball bounced up and into his arm, but no whistle was blown. It was a lucky moment for the Gunners.

First half Stats

Nothing to see here.

Carry on.

The 2^nd half began with no changes to either side, and the fans were treated to more of the same, that is, more Arsenal ball retention, and not much else. Ho-hum.

Sunderland did have a couple more opportunities, despite not seeing much of the ball. After winning a free-kick from 30 yards, Craig Gardner’s shot went under the leaping wall and eventually John O’Shea blasted it well over the bar. Then after Arsenal had sustained pressure deep in the Sunderland half and was pressing the home side very well, Song lost the ball in the midfield and the Black Cats were able to change the momentum of the game, winning corners and forcing Arsenal into rushed clearances and winning corners. From one of those corners Arsenal were only half able to clear the ball and it fell to Craig Gardner who took it first time and only a fantastic diving save to the bottom right corner by Szczesny prevented the home side from taking the lead.

On 66minutes Arsenal’s living statue came into game for the ineffectual Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it would be Sunderland who found the break through this dreary game needed. Alex Song had a horrendous giveaway in the middle of the park but Bacary Sagna did superbly well to track back and break up the Sunderland attacker. Sagna gave the ball to Mertesacker who turned towards his own net to start the next attack, only to inexplicably crumple to the ground in pain with no one near him that allowed James McClean to stroll into the box and rifle a low shot into the corner of the net. The medics were quick to the aid of the German and had to stretcher the big man off the pitch to be replaced by Ramsey.

SunderlandRamsey Just two short minutes later, Arsenal found the equalizer. After van Persie laid the ball off for Mikel Arteta to shoot into the legs of a defender, the ball bounced to Aaron Ramsey, who took it first time and beat the goalkeeper, but not the post. Except it rolled across the line and into the other post and into the back of the net, and Arsenal were level. It was a terrific strike, combined with some nice luck and a feel good moment for the Welshman that has taken a fair amount of criticism as of late.

The game would press on, Arsenal dominating possession (still) and Sunderland having a half chance when Vermaelen felled his man on the edge of the box, giving Tomas Rosicky the yellow somehow. Nothing game of it, and in the 87^th minute Wenger threw on his last substitute, the little Russian meerkat, Andrei Arshavin for Theo Walcott.

It would prove to be a masterstroke move. Arshavin picked the ball up on the left flank and with two defenders on him, was able to find space for the cross that found Thierry Henry to turn it into the net for the lead and very little time left.

Sunderland would look to press, but Arsenal were able to clear everything that was thrown at them and at the final whistle Arsenal had the hard fought 2-1 come from behind win.

sunderlandwin

Player Ratings

Szczesny 7 – Dealt with everything that game his way, and made a couple long-range stops (one was offside) that will boost his confidence, having been suspect from shots outside the box this season.

Sagna 7 – Best right back in England by far. Never gets beat by defenders. Had 4 tackles and I just love this player.

Mertesacker 6 – Had a shaky game and lucky not to be called for a PK. Massive injury blow for him and Arsenal that lead to the goal (which you cannot blame him for). Not good, not good at all.

Koscielny 7 – Played a solid, all around game at the back and look largely untroubled all match.

Vermaelen 6.5 – The only good thing about Mertesacker’s injury is the Verminator going back where he belongs at centre-back. Poor help offensively, but does a decent job defensively. I’d honestly prefer Coquelin at left back than him.

Song 6.5 – Hasn’t been great for Arsenal as of late, and while he is the almost the only player looking for through ball for the forwards, had a few mistakes in the middle of the park that were costly.

Arteta 7 – He had 116 passes and completed 94% of them. Twitter was exclaiming how good this is, which on it own it is. But it also reveals how incisive Arsenal was (not). Not a single one of Arteta’s passes were even an attempted through ball, which says a lot of this match.

Rosicky 7 – An interesting player. On one hand, only Rosicky and Song attempted through balls. But none worked. He had team high 5 tackles and 3 interceptions, but was also disposed 4 times. He works hard and is very busy, but as Homey says, no end product. He is a good squad player and an adequate replacement for Ramsey when needed.

Walcott 5.5 – Yes he played. But Sunderland showed Blackburn how to play against Theo. Get tight and deny him space, and he struggles. Theo didn’t record a single defensive stat all match, and had 8 turnovers. Such is the life of Theo.

Chamberlain 6 – Struggled against Bardsley all match and was completely nullified. He had 33 touches in 66 minutes and Ramsey had 36 touches in 18minutes. These days will happen.

Van Persie 6 – Struggled to get anything going against a strong, compact defense.

Henry 7 – Came on, ran around and did little. And then scored the winner in injury time. Legend.

Ramsey 7 – Scored the equalizer and made a nuisance out of himself for Sunderland. There is a player here, just need some patience.

Arshavin N/R – Was only on for a few minutes and sent in two dangerous crosses from the wing, one that became the winner. A feel-good moment for the Russian and let’s hope there is more to come.

Man of the Match – All three substitutes and Arsene Wenger for making them. Sure one was forced, but if fans can harp on Wenger for subs that fail, we can praise him when they come off. All three had a massive impact on the scoreline.

Britain Soccer Premier League

Some may say Arsenal didn’t really deserve the win, having created very little and lucky not to concede a penalty. I say it’s about time Arsenal are the winning side of games like this, rather than the other way around. Chelsea was defeated by Fulham Everton (thanks for correcting me!), Liverpool lost to Manchester United and Sp*rs thrashed Newcastle around like a rag doll today. Other than the Mertesacker injury, today proved to be an excellent day for Arsenal fans. Level on points and goal difference with Chelsea, and despite 8 losses this season, Arsenal is somehow in fourth due to more wins than Chelsea. If Arsenal is in crisis mode, what is Chelsea in this year?

Next up, Champions League play against the struggling AC Milan. Up the Arse!

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Category: Arsenal News

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Zaf

i think you underate tomas rosicky to much, when he plays it seems like the free flowing arsenal of old when ramsey plays there is no flow to the play of arsenal. please analyize this because i have watched everysingle game on TV or in the stadium. i like reading your articles but to much ramsey bum licking is not right.
Kas123

Excuse me, I hope this is nothing but a load of shit. Not that i like shit, but I just read a story on 101Great Goals saying that Tottenham may have made an agreement with Hazard to sign him at the end of the season. This would def. be a heart breaker if it were indeed true. Has anyone heard anything related to this?
Gigi_man

nice.. finally a BDay present 4 me :)

3 points, 4th place. I take that even without the Happy BDAy song!
iosanguinaregiallerosso

Roma/Arsenal fan here.
Don't hate. No need to. I watch more Arsenal games, probably because the commentators are English and I'm from Australia so I don't understand the Spanish or Italian when I watch a Roma game. Anyways enough about that.

Thank god for King Henry ! Lovely ball by Arshavin, maybe that will give him a tiny bit of confidence for when ever he plays next(God knows when) therefore Theirry Henry should know.

Was on the offical Arsenal website this morning and seen the MOTM poll. 50% given to Henry. I picked Kosicenly. IMO he has been our best defender by far.

Is it just me or do I see that every team that sits back and lets us attack know how to keep Theo out of the game. Such a shame with his footballing brain and all......
Andrew

Arshaivn is a liability most of the time and it's not some good crosses or assists once in a while that will change that. And he can't even score from close range. Flashes of brillance or magic is an overstatement considering some top players like Xavi or Cesc and to some extent Bale or Valencia do it every week-end.
Patoux21

No, wait. That's just old silly me again.
Tomisin

This is the point i was trying to make about Arshavin; his inconsistency and appearance of laziness aside, he tends to have flashes of brilliance/magic and that gives us a very good option in the team, even if it's from the bench. he's gotten assists in his last wo starts for us and here's another one. He's far from our best player but he is something extra we can do with. So fans that were complaining about Arsene bringing him on against United should undertand that the change could have gone either way. Arshavin is far from finished goods. Kudos to henry for being such a friggin boss too!
Casimir

He's not finished goods, but he was the wrong substitute in that match. Horrendous choice, and SAF exploited Wenger's mistake of putting Arshavin on with his own substitute and changing tactics.
Delphisso

I can also assume that Arshavin would have scored if he was not destroy by the boo boys. Can you say for sure that the Ox can save us that day? So don't tell us that's a horrendous choice. Hind-sight is easy!!!
Casimir

It was a horrendous choice because immediately after Arshavin was substituted, SAF made his own substitution and switched flanks, and the remainder of the game MU targeted our left flank. They abandoned the other side of the field.

If you don't believe me, then at least read the 'expert's' opinion at Zonal Marking.

I never said Ox would have saved the day, but he had made a string of threatening runs and put some good balls into dangerous places for his teammates. He also was not being targeted as a defensive liability by MU at the time and was keeping them from focusing their passing down their right or pushing up.

This has nothing to do with hindsight.
bobjcanada

I missed the 2nd half, so i missed all the good stuff

Good performance overall; and big plusses for Ramsay and Arshavin who have been having tough times of late.

in a tie for 4th place!; we finally capitalize on our rival's stumbles.

There is a tough run of games ahead; hopefully there's a bit of momentum going...

(How long before Huddink replaces AVB at Chelski?)
Casimir

I know much is expected at Chelsea, and their owner has high aspirations, but it seems like they're yanking at AVB too quickly. The guy is putting in a new system, so there were going to be growing pains, especially with an aging squad. Maybe he could have adapted and played a style more fitting for the players he has now, but there's no reason to think they couldn't be great in two years time. Obviously, they don't have that patience, so if they ax him, it's probably better for us in the long run anyway.
Patoux21

Damn hopefully the 2 goals were scored by Ramsey (full credit to him) and Henry because if it was Arshavin scoring we would have had the entire meerkat fanbase making an Evra style celebration and whinning he should have received a 11 rating for 4min of play. I admit it was a nice and decisive cross from him though.
Perry S.

The entire fanbase? What all 3 of us.
Patoux21

I'm so spiteful.
tfdst1

Not sure how Theo earned his 5.5. All I remember out of him was missed shots and giveaways
brenton

He put in a couple of good crosses that no one got to. Not entirely his fault.
Felegy

Loved one of the commentators on Theo, "Nice cross by Walcott into the box, although, had he had his head up he would have seen that there was not a single Arsenal player in the box". Pretty much sums him up of late.
Patoux21

Arshavin has no work ethics and he almost cost us a loss in this game. He almost lost posession around 89:34,456 when he sent the ball slightly away. He has no place in Arsenal.
Perry S.

HAHAHA so on target.
Kas123

Haha
Patoux21

And you are pathetic and childish for using my name. Go back praying in your Arshavin shrine
Patoux21

No, wait. That's just silly old me.
Guest

HAHAHAHA
Casimir

I got a nice chuckle out of that one.
Guest

When arshavin fucks up as a substitute and does nothing, you give him a 4. When he gives a beautiful assist, you give him no rating.

Typical Arsenal Offside.
caligunner

Arsenal Offside is different writers who have diverse opinions on players. You will find supporters and detractors for Wenger/Walcott/Arshavin/(most recent arsenal player on bad run of form) here and are welcome to voice your opinion in the comments, like the rest of us.

Plus, player ratings are strange to begin with. How can you rate a player who played for 10 minutes alongside a player who played for 95? Its fine to disagree with a rating, but do it more respectfully than dismissively calling the comment "typical"
Perry S.

Its actually not so typical of Darren since he is a big supporter of Arshavin (as I am), so I'll just say, yes, Arsha was deserving of a very high rating.
Gigi_man

And me, and me!
Actually I was about to hit it off when yahoo sports got it wrong and credited Arsha for the goal, but just after they rectified.
Darren_V

Your right, I should cease the common practice of not rating players for 4 minutes of play.

Particularly hilarious considering I'm one of Arshavin's bigger supporters in the Arsenal world.
Dalinur96

Why dont we just offer the red bulls: Chamakh for the rest of the season, and we keep the king here with us,fair swap really!! We could only wish right?
GoonerNY

Did anyone hear how loud the Stadium of Light was? Arsenal funs should start helping the team, the Emirates is too quiet. The cheering should be always, win or lose. ...........To Darren: You should have given rating to Arshavin. A crucial assist like that at such a difficult position needs a rating of not less than 7, even if one was on pitch for a second.
Perry S.

Arsha definitely deserved a rating. His brilliant cross was just as good as the winning goal.
Gigi_man

Yep, I agree. I think Darren rectified in the comment section? he is after all a member right?
Tee_sui

Any news on the extent Mertesaker's injury? I swore that he was clutching his ankle when I was watching the game today, but I might have been fooling myself into thinking BFG injured his ankle on the poor pitch. If it really is his knee that's injured, I really hope it's not a torn ACL, because not only is that a blow to Arsenal. but to Die Nationalmannschaft too. BFG's going to be missing the Euros. And as both a Gooner and a fan of the German NT, I'd be sad.
Martin

Everything I've heard is that it's the ankle, not the knee, so I doubt it's an ACL issue. But it could definitely be a bad ankle sprain, which could keep him out of action for a while.
Tee_sui

Ya. You're right. Per posted a pic of his ankle on Twitter, and there's a huge nasty bruise. I honestly hope the bruise isn't a result of torn ligaments and what not. Fingers-crossed!
caligunner

you forgot one rating:

0.0 - The Pitch at the Stadium of Light. It looked like it attacked Mert on the Sunderland goal
caligunner

"Henry 7 – Came on, ran around and did little. And then scored the winner in injury time. Legend."
Brilliant. Great win, not only for the team but for a confidence boost to two players (Ramsey and Arshavin) that really need it.
Sh31kh

er... i think you will find it was everton who spank chelski's asses, but other than that small nitpicking, awesome write up. Agree with all the ratings.
Darren_V

ah yes, you are correct. My bad.