The result's been hinted at elsewhere, but here are the details: Arsenal 3, Sunderland 1 This was about as dominating a performance as I can recall seeing by Arsenal. Almost a carbon copy of the Leeds win, except we didn't answer their only goal. Two goals in the first 10 minutes from Kanu, the first off a scramble from a corner, the second a header(!) on a nice cross from Cole. Added the third late in the first half on a header(!) from Vieira after a laser free kick from Wiltord was too hot to handle. Sunderland looked better in the 2nd half, but it would have been hard to look much worse. Craddock added a late goal on a header, as we were content to run out the clock. No cards, no injuries, sunny weather, another win. In the process, we surpassed the record of 29 games without a loss in the Premiership, record previously held by ManUre. Next in our sights is the English record of 42 unbeaten, held by Clough's Nottingham Forest side. We've taken 62 out of a possible 66 points in the league - absolutely remarkable.
That performance today was rubbish. For 80 minutes Sunderland played us dead even. Granted, the game was already over at the 10-minute mark...
This is simply an amazing run Arsenal are on right now. Should set up some cracking matches later against Liverpool.
I disagree, our players were obviously told to take it easy in the second half, pick up no cards or injuries and see the game out. We were just popping the ball about for long periods without even trying to score. It was winding me up as Sunderland were there to be absolutely destroyed. I was surprised it took so long to get the subs on and I felt sorry for Jeffers especially when he came on, no-one was even trying to set anything up. A professional job is what you call this I suppose, but a 6 or 7 -nil battering was easily within our reach if we kept playing. Sunderland are the poorest side I've seen this season by a long way.
I beg to differ. I was thoroughly enjoying the sight of Arsenal running Sunderland ragged in the second half, like a poor dog chasing a bone that is so close yet always elusive. I am of the opinion that true champions raise their game when the conditions require it, and as Sunderland most obviously did not there was no need for any heroics. Kanu, the second coming, is a pleasure to watch as well.
All I can figure is that Kanu was reading the Bigsoccer.com Arsenal board and saw all the negative comments. He than decided to start playing football and stop the circus act. His positioning has greatly improved and hes actually getting the ball and distributing it. Great performance. I agree with Micheac, it was just a second half to finish without injury and save ourselves for another day. I would complain about us winning games in the first moments and cruising along the rest of the way but that would be insanely selfish. I know now why I dont see Gilbertos work. I confuse him with Henry all game long. Roughly the same height, build, complexion. I constantly caught myself saying,"Henry is really getting back quickly." Thats the problem with TV and getting to see the matches live.
Aftermath Peter Reid's been fired as Sunderland's manager. Candidates to replace him include George Graham and David O'Leary. I'm glad this didn't happen a week earlier, as Sunderland would have been fired up with a former Arsenal man as their new boss.
Yeah, very impressed with Cygan. Someone somewhere made the criticial analysis that he doesn't just defend...often his first pass launches the attack. I swear he made twice as many touches in the first half as anyone else on the pitch. Good to see him making his presence felt. That said, I wondered if he was trying to make his presence felt by playing every position. He was everywhere. Left side, right side, and he pressed beyond the midfield line quite a bit. Since Sunderland seemed content to play the entire first half on their own side, maybe he saw that he could get away with it. Or maybe I'm just way too used to watching Sol assert his territory in front of goal. Whatever the case, Cygan looked great.