Kevin Whitcher
I am pretty sure the consensus amongst fans at the moment is that it really does not matter how Arsenal win matches, just that they do. Certainly, the performance against Sunderland was not one that filled observers with confidence, although the hope is the result can do that for the team itself. There is no doubt that the visitors could have scored three times in the first half, and Szczesny’s wonder save has been compared by at least two people to that of Gordon Banks against Pele in 1970. I have not seen it on TV, but there is no doubt our current keeper is a bit special.
Arsenal, given their relative domination of possession, did not create many chances against a resolute Sunderland defence. There were a couple of flashes from Gervinho (including the assist for the opener) and I think one decent cross from Walcott, but the two wide forwards were largely ineffectual. Walcott especially, just seems to hang out on the wing a lot of the time, unable to adjust his position to the shape of the team as the play varies. There has long been a debate about whether he has a real football brain, and me, yesterday proved there is little evidence he can read a game and adjust his role within it to any positive effect.
Still, there were some good performances. Carl Jenkinson did make a complete howler, losing possession in the first half from which Sunderland could have scored, but aside from that, I thought he had a decent game. Granted, he will meet much stiffer challenges than Sunderland have to offer, but it’s a start for a player who we are likely to see a lot more of until Sagna’s return. It will be interesting to see if he is picked in Marseille on Wednesday evening. Tomas Rosicky also had a busy game, and played like the experienced player he is, and at a level that has been conspicuous by its absence for a long time. Robin Van Persie was the reason the points were claimed, simple as that. Injury to the captain does not bear thinking about, and already fans are worried about the following season when the indications are he will be plying his trade elsewhere. It was intriguing to see how good Arshavin looked once he came on. Where did the hunger suddenly come from? More of this please. I love it when Arsenal players take on their man instead of passing all the time. Sometimes, you just have to mix it up a bit.
Really, the game bears no great analysis beyond that. Sunderland will survive relegation, finishing in the bottom third of the table, and are the kind of team Arsenal will beat at home on most occasions. However, the Gunners’ performances against better teams have raised many questions, and exposed the decline in expectations about what the team can reasonably achieve. With their best players all fit, Arsenal could make a fist of a challenge for the top four. But the depth of the squad is not what it should be given the wage bill. Things have gone off kilter and now fans are happy just to get three points at home against the likes of Sunderland. Anything else is a bonus.
Wednesday’s game is the next test. Arsenal gained a draw in Dortmund, and could have won. No mean feat. It’s all a bit unpredictable in Europe at the moment. However, life as an Arsenal fan is certainly not dull these days, as you are never quite sure what you are going to get. Some consistency would be nice. For now though, we’ll take these very welcome three points and move on.
Kevin Whitcher’s newly updated version of the book co-written with Alex Fynn, ‘Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub’ is available in paperback from publishers Vision Sports for a reduced price of £6.99 including postage if you use the promo code ‘Gooner’ on the page that appears after you click ‘buy now’. Click here to order.
