Arrrghhh...
The game ended one all yesterday after a poor display from Arsenal. In the first half we failed to get gong and it looked like Sunderland had more energy and shut us down effectively in midfield. Actually they could easily have taken the lead early on and it was only a poor final ball that let them down on a number of occasions. Despite being under pressure I think our defence held firm for the most part and Squillaci and Koscielny looked quite solid and won a lot of headers. However we struggled our get our passsing game going, and didn't create anything of note going forward. The goal came from a huge stroke of luck when Fabregas closed down Ferdinand's clearance and the ball looped up and drifted over the Sunderland keeper and into the net about 30 yards away! It was against the run of play and we were very lucky to go in ahead at half time.
Second half was going much the same way when Song got a second yellow card for a cynical block when Sunderland were on the break. He was already walking a disciplinary tightrope by that point after a number of first half fouls and should have known better, especially since we had plenty of men back in that situation. It was only when we were reduced to 10 men when we actually got into our rhythm a bit more and started keeping the ball much better. It looked like Sunderand had used up most of their energy in their good first half display. Nasri and Rosicky created a few half chances in midfield and then Chamakh was fouled in the area for a penalty. However Rosicky blasted the penalty over and from then on we started to look a bit more nervous. I was praying for us to see out the game but then in the 4th minute of added on time the inevitable equaliser came when Sunderlnad put a cross in, we failed to clear and the ball fell kindly for Bent to smash in.
Overall a win would have flattered us, and a draw is probably a fair result. But you can't help thinking it was two points thrown away in the circumstances. Also worrying is the injury to Fabregas, lets hope it he was just taken off as a precaution as claimed. Clichy is also worrying me - he's great 90% of the time but he has a tendancy to try to play his way out or trouble which is really frustrating. At one point yesterday he lost the ball in his own box when he could have just hoofed it away, and I think he also could have done better for the goal. Maybe its time to give Gibbs a run in the team.
Anyway, next game is away at Spurs in the Carling cup on Tuesday where we will get to see some of the talented youngsters. Have a good week,
Mr F
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