Kevin Whitcher
And then came the chance. After failing to convert a succession of half chances, with seven minutes left on the clock, the ball was worked to Olivier Giroud, leaving him with just the keeper to beat. He blasted it wide. The French striker is apparently left-footed, similar to Arsenal’s recently departed captain. However, one couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if Robin Van Persie had received the chance on his right foot.
Before the game, on the way to the stadium, new chants of hate about the departed Dutchman were being aired. At one point, I heard the chant about Sol Campbell winning the double. A captain who made unrealistic wage demands because he wanted to move to a club where he felt he had a better chance of winning something, in the process earning a huge hike in salary. He is hated by fans of the club where he spent the majority of his career, with vile chants sung about him. Sound familiar? The difference is that Tottenham received nothing for their departing skipper. Arsenal made £24 million. Aside from that, what is the difference? The best thing for Gooners to do when Van Persie lines up against their team in a United shirt is to ignore him. Use their energies to support their own players, but that isn’t going to happen.
So what of those that arrived over the summer? It was interesting to see Lukas Podolski picked as the centre forward ahead of Olivier Giroud, as it was widely believed Santi Cazorla would be the one on the bench of the three new boys, due to his long midweek trip to play for Spain. Gervinho’s pre-season form was rewarded with a start. Arsene Wenger certainly has options in midfield and attack.
Martin O’Neill’s side came for a point and were successful. Until they start giving zero points for draws, there will always be games like this. It was dour fare, but a means to an end. Sunderland will probably finish comfortably in mid-table as they will get results. There won’t be too many watchable games along the way. Still, Arsenal could learn from their industry when they are away from home. The visitors worked very hard to limit space near their goal.
With the majority of the possession, Arsenal tried to unpick the lock, but when chances came, the shots often failed to meet the target. It was a frustrating afternoon. Giroud eventually replaced Podolski, but as stated, when the best chance came he skewed it wide.
Defensively, there was little to test the home side. One of the two decent chances Sunderland had in the first 45 minutes was the result of Abou Diaby failing to track his man, and that kind of loss of concentration needs to be worked upon. Alex Song was sometimes guilty of such moments, and his sale to Barcelona has been confirmed. Presumably an announcement on the deal for Nuri Sahin is imminent, but it was ventured to me yesterday that it was not so much a case of Song wanting to leave, as Arsenal wanting to sell the player. Apparently his attitude last season left something to be desired, and it was felt that he did not work hard enough in his position, sometimes failing to cover ground when the opposition had the ball. Reputedly the idea going forward this campaign is that the team will zip the ball around faster, and be more incisive on the break. Cazorla is the key to this, which might explain his playing the full game yesterday. He is intended as the replacement for Cesc Fabregas, but Wenger had to wait a year to get him. There were certainly occasions last season when the Gunners seemed over-ponderous, and allowed the opposition time to regroup when opportunities for the kind of three pass move that set up a chance in the old days were spurned.
Song was capable of some glorious football, sometimes delivering exquisite through balls to team-mates, laying scoring opportunities on a plate. But there were horrorshow moments too. This observer always thought he was not quite good enough for the critical role he was given. It will be interesting to see how he performs alongside the likes of Xavi and Iniesta. Defensively, I would say Sergio Busquets is a better player, but time will tell.
As for Arsenal, the new players need more time to gel, for the understanding to develop. There were encouraging signs yesterday, but poor finishing undid them. The way Sunderland set up meant a goal was needed before we could see a real football match, and that we never got one was indicated by the game’s showing on Match of the Day, at the fag end of the show after Reading v Stoke. Next weekend will tell us a lot more about the re-jigged Arsenal, and especially the work that has been done to lessen the number of goals against.
Granted, a disappointing start, but one that should be no surprise. It’s a long season and Arsenal have plenty of time to make good. What is important is that they take something from their next two matches, which is easier said than done.
The new issue of the Gooner went on sale for one home match only yesterday. It will also be available outside the away ends at Stoke and Liverpool. It can be bought online here. There is also an e-version of the issue available to read on your ipad/tablet/iphone/android. The app is free and you can download the first few pages of each issue as a taster before deciding whether or not to purchase the whole thing
