Arsenal 3-2 Sunderland: Van Persie puts Arsenal back at the top of the Premiership

Approximately a third of the way into the season, we are now developing a picture of who will be the main contenders come May. A previous Goalpost article had claimed that Arsenal would be a force to be reckoned with this season, notwithstanding Henry’s move to FC Barcelona and this prophecy has come to fruition beyond everyone’s belief in them. Manchester United are probably favourites, if Chelsea can sort out their internal problems they may yet make a final push, Liverpool when they have settled on a squad will challenge and Manchester City are proving dark horses. As i have reiterated before a number of players in Arsenal’s squad have stepped up their game from last season. Aleksandr Hleb, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adeybayor, player of the month Cesc Fabregas and match winner Robin Van Persie have all added something to their performances in an Arsenal shirt since last year that is reflected in their league position. They have since Wenger’s era always been an attack minded team but this season they have added something else which is to show resilience in games like these. After being pegged back to 2-2, the old Arsenal would have probably accepted the result as it were, with bowed heads and not of plugged away to produce the winner.

Traditionally the October month is seen as a problematic and difficult one for Arsenal, and with this win aside this was no different. This was perhaps the first time that Arsenal had been challenged this campaign after demolishing other teams with apparent ease. Roy Keane’s Sunderland has proved to be Arsenal’s sternest test yet. Perhaps one of the reasons for this was that Arsenal got a little bit complacent with their two nil lead so early on in the game. For the first 20 minutes or so however, they were their normal attacking best; with Sunderland boss Roy Keane fearing that they would get eight after they had scored twice in the first 14 minutes, and had another goal disallowed wrongfully for offside. After only six minutes Grant Leadbitter made a rash challenge on Cesc Fabregas that could only fall to Abou Diaby, who smashed the ball into the top left hand corner, but referee Rob Styles had already blown his whistle for the foul. Ironically the resultant freekick was hit with such ferocity and precision that it had ended up in the back of Sunderland’s net and past the hapless Craig Gordon anyway, courtesy of Robin Van Persie’s sweet left foot.

Though criticised for his defensive frailties, the Swiss defender Phillip Senderos decided to get in on the Arsenal’s attacking dominance. Ever increasingly moving forward and after Sunderland had failed to deal with a corner kick adequately, the ball fell to Senderos after Adebayor’s low cross was missed by Diaby. Stretching for the ball, he managed to scuff his shot with the bottom of his boot, through a sea of bodies that ended up in Sunderland’s net. Diaby managed to find the net yet again, but must of felt that referee Rob Styles and the linesmen somehow were conspiring against him as he yet again his goal scoring efforts were disallowed- Matthiue Flamini was ajudged to of been offside when clearly Nyron Notsworthy was playing him onside.

Feeling a little bit jealous that his co defender Senderos had ended up on the score sheet, Kolo Toure let fly a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out, that came back off the inside of Gordon’s post. This great sense of confidence, where some people might perceive as misplaced arrogance, allowed Sunderland to get back in the game and take the game to Arsenal. With a lack of discipline and so many players pushing forward, this opened up opportunities for Sunderland to exploit and in the 25th minute they got their rewards for a a spirited come back that started them on the tracks to put them back into the game. Kenwyne Jones showed strength and ability to take the ball down the right and realeased a shot that Manuel Almunia did well to block but the ball fell for Ross Wallace to rifle home. This should of been a warning to Arsenal to not get complacent but however did not heed the warnings of a side that worked really hard to get something out of this fixture.

Arsenal still had chances to score but Sunderland’s chances were increasing as well. Ross Wallace kept Bacary Sagna busy down the right side of Arsenal’s flank, while Michael Chopra checked Clichy’s runs down the left and Kenwyne Jones battled hard in attack to try and avoid defeat.  After some scares from Arsenal with opportunities to increase their lead even further, Sunderland’s work rate was soon rewarded after the break.

Growing in confidence from their first goal, Sunderland were enjoying more possession. The ball was worked out to Liam Miller on the left, who put in a great cross into the Arsenal six yard box.  Outjumping Clichy in the box Jones powered a downward header past Almunia to send the Sunderland faithful into ecstatics.

With 33 minutes left Theo Walcott was sent on to add impetus to Arsenal’s attack; however his first contribution did not give Arsenal fans any inclination that his imput would have a positive effect on the match. Hleb got inside down the left and cut the ball back to the far post, but with the perfect opportunity to put Arsenal in the lead, he completly missed his kick from four yards. Walcott was though to compesate the home fans for their premier league priced tickets, with a key play that earned Arsenal all three points. Showing great skill and close control he evading his marker to play in Van Persie. Van Persie still had quite alot of work to do, thus while running at great pace, he driblled the ball past two challenges and then unleashed a low shot past Gordon into the bottom right corner. Sunderland finished the game with 10 men when Paul McShane was shown a straight red for clattering into Hleb with his knee when the Arsenal winger was on the floor. Walcott struck the base of the post in stoppage time with an angled drive from the right, but by then it did not matter.

In the Guardian Matt Scott had commented that “There was compelling evidence here to suggest that Arsenal lack the maturity required of Champions.” (see link below.) This comment  applies to Arsenal allowing Sunderland to get back in the game, and may suggest this is a trait that Arsenal will show throughout the season. This is where i happen to disagree. Yes they were a little complacent in allowing Sunderland back into the game, but lest we not forget that Sunderland are actually a very tough team. Their run in the premiership may not back up this statement, where they had won 2, drawn 2 and lost 4 times; but though they have cracked many times under the premiership especially against bigger and established teams, they have though proved a tough nut to crack. In addition, Arsenal seemed to have surrendered the three points, regardless of the countless of chances they managed to muster. How many times did we see last season where they had a million chances on goal but ended up feeling short changed with the final result? They managed to be greedy and get all three points this time and next time when they find themselves in the same sort of situation, they will recall their memories back to this game.

 A CULTURED LEFT FOOT

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Filed under: arsenal, football, soccer, sports, sunderland , football, sports

Keano versus the WAGS.

Roy Keane Wags a Finger!

He gets more like Cloughie everyday
He’ll be wearing a green jersey next
But not for ‘Eire in doors’

Roy’s got his shorts in a twist
Over the wives and girlfriends
Of footballers

Those who dare say “NO!”
To the steely eyed one
The lure of Sunderland

Leaves them cold the stack
Of prawn butties in the canteen
Left well alone

Never mind Keano
There’s always the thought of Man Utd
To keep you warm

Lady Ferguson has decided
On a house move and her hubby
Daren’t say “NO!” (footballpoets)

All the sports pundits from the major papers have put in their two pence worth about Roy Keane’s latest verbal rant about WAGS and i was debating with myself whether i should follow suit, due to me being about a week late in writing about it. However although I acknowledge that there will be many other football rants from the former Manchester United player (see previous rants bottom page), I felt that this latest verbal outburst was still worth commenting about. Below is what he had to say about football players priorities when choosing a club. The arguement here is that footballers should not go to a football club based on it’s glamorous location.

“If a player doesn’t want to come to Sunderland then all well and good, But if he decides he doesn’t want to come because his wife wants to go shopping in London, then it’s a sad state of affairs. It’s not a football move, it’s a lifestyle move. It tells me the player is weak and his wife runs his life. The idea of women running the show concerns me and worries me, but the players we’re talking about are soft. Priorities have changed in footballers and they are being dictated to by their wives.”

“We had a player who didn’t even ring us back [about a contract offer] this summer because his wife wanted to move to London – and, yes, shopping was mentioned. To me it’s wrong to sign for a club with half the crowds and less attention [than Sunderland].”

“You can see quite clearly now with one or two of the big players that their wives and girlfriends are running their lives and that’s a bad sign. I might have to start persuading players that Sunderland’s closer to London than it really is. The player won’t say it but you know what they’re thinking because they say: ‘I need to speak to my wife’. “

“Your football has to be your priority and you don’t have to live in London or Monaco to be happy. You don’t need to be surrounded by expensive shops or fancy cafes.”

These comments are born out of the frustration that Sunderland is not a club any footballer would wish to go to and Keane’s frustration in building a squad that can survive or even do well in the Premiership. Taking these comments at first glance, may seem to be an attack on players wives or even a sort of anti- female tirade that could get the feminists up in arms, but it isnt. More than anything it is an attack on the culture of celebrity overstepping its boundaries in football. It is an attack on players who have no backbone in their own relationships to their trophy wives and girlfriends.

In a relationship, when a major decision is to be made, it is better that it is made by both the male and the female. Of course the female should have a say where she has to relocate with her other half due to his work commitments. The area might have a high crime rate, it might smell there, or it might be too far away from family and friends, or it might be a bit grim and cold there. But to not go on a decision based on Shopping? It is superficial beyond the point of humour. Like the outspoken Irishman had said, there is no place for this in football.

It would be interesting to find out which player/players he was talking about. Maybe David Nugent who opted for Portsmouth instead of Sunderland? Who knows. The solution to Roy Keane’s problem is not to give up hope. There are still quality players that can be lured to the North East and that could benefit Sunderland’s football team. He should think about approaching David Beckham, I wonder what David would think about playing for his former volitile teammate?

Previous rants

“I was fairly critical about our seating arrangements on the flight out here, when the officials were sitting in the first-class seats and the players were sitting behind. For me that’s simply not right and it’s not just because I’m playing for Manchester United. The priority has to be the team – and I don’t think that has always been the case here.” on republic of Ireland officials treating the national team as second class citizens

“They have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don’t realise whats going on out on the pitch. I dont think some of the people who come to Old Trafford can spell football, nevermind understanding it” Keane on Manchester United’s corporate “fans”

“He should’nt be lying on the floor. Defenders shouldn’t be on their backsides. Ifelt tthat he got in the way.” Keane on stamping on Gareth Southgate.

“You were a shit player and you’re a shit manager.” on former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy

Filed under: football, soccer, sports, sunderland

Birmingham City 2-2 Sunderland

The boys who earned a point at St Andrew’s for Roy Keane’s Sunderland can not be accused of not wearing the pants in their relationship’s with their other halves. They showed grit, determination and spirit; all attributes of  their manager’s playing days with Manchester United. Twice they battled back, after letting in goals from an adept Birmingham side. The first goal coming from new North East golden boy Michael Chopra, who made it two goals in two games for the Black Cats, after a clinical finish. 

If you expected Sunderland to show complacency after their 1-nil victory against Spurs, then the way the way the Sunderland team performed in this match showed that they are no pushovers. On the other side Birmingham showed their pedigree as well, picking up where they left off when the played Chelsea at the Bridge where they nearly managed to get a 3 points from the former Champions. In the end the two newly promoted teams both cancelled each other out, both in performance, points and controversial decisions…

The first goal of the game came after 28 minutes. Former Arsenal youth player Sebastian Larsson floated in a freekick into Sunderland’s penalty area, where Stephen Kelly rose the highest to direct the ball across the visitors goal.  Paul McShane who was so impressive against Tottenham, was unlucky to put the ball past his own keeper when the ball came off of his chest, past Craig Gordan.

The goal made Sunderland come out of their slumber as they rallied against Birmingham’s goal. They were unlucky not to get a penalty, when Stephen Kelly was seen to of shoved David Connoly in the area as both of them battled for the ball. But referee Keith Shroud waved on.  Birmingham almost added insult to injury when they nearly went 2 nil up, when Johan Djourou glanced his near post header wide just before half time.

Sunderland however showed a real sense of urgency to get back in the game after the break and were rewarded in the 75th minute. Along ball floted in from midfield did not seem to pose any danger to the Birmingham defence, in what should of been an easy clearance, Liam Ridgewell missed the ball. This gifted the perfect opportunity for Michael Chopra to further endure himself to the Sunderland faithful, to which he did not dissapoint stealing in to finish with aplomb.

Gary O Connor a late arrival in the match, and one of Steve Bruce’s new £2.5 million signing from Locomotiv Moscow,  looked to upset the visiting fans when he stole in to score his debut goal eight minutes from time.  The Scottish international took a pass from the impressive Mikal Forsell and weaved around Mc Shane before hitting his shot past Craig Gordan.

However Sunderland refused to give in , and rallied back immeadiately. Carlos Edwards made a piercing run with the ball before angling a cross for Stern John who could only see his header hit the woodwork. The Trididadian striker had to wait till the 90th minute thoughto score past his former club. A direct freekick was awarded for Sunderland which Ross Wallace struck violently only to see his effort saved by  Colin Doyle. His parried shot seemed to hang in the air for ages and it would of been enough time for him to pick himself up from the floor to collect the rebound, but Stern John headed in at the far post. Doyle was unlucky to not have a freekick given to him as he was impeded by Sunderland’s Roy O’ Donovan which had left Steve Bruce talking about a sense of injustice after the match:

“I was determined not to go on bleating about referee’s when we came back to the Premier League. But we all saw their centre forward jumping all over our keeper. The referee missed it and so did the linesman”

Filed under: birmingham, football, premiership, soccer, sports, sunderland