Sunderland’s day-after thoughts: Our away from home form is simply not good enough
Unbeatable at the Emirates, so vulnerable away from it. And Wenger’s statement, saying that had we played Sunderland at home we would have won, well, that’s very funny if you ask me.
In an interview not long ago, Gael Clichy said that Highbury was special, it gave the players a sense of invincibility, something which they don’t feel at the Emirates. But maybe that’s changing considering how well we’re doing at home, but away, things are not going according to plan.
After the Wolves game I thought that we would have seen a change in our performances away from home, but I was wrong. Three defeats in the Premiership, a narrow win against Fulham thanks to Mannone, a very poor draw against West Ham and in the Champions League a not-so-good 1-1 draw away at AZ after a 3-2 win over Standard Liege in a game where we were 2-0 down in a blink of an eye.
Of course no titles are won by doing well exclusively at home and as it is, I’m afraid we dropped too many points during this first part of the season.
The Sunderland Game
After the first fifteen minutes I was convinced we would have won the game. Sunderland seemed reluctant to come forward and they were somewhat poor at the back. Also, our passing was working nicely and Sagna and Traore were helping the midfield pretty well.
But we failed to score and the home side started to slowly come out, putting pressure on our midfield and trying to score from set-pieces, just like any other team does when facing the Arsenal. Thomas Vermaelen lost his battle in the air but seriously, you can’t expect the Belgian to win all headers in all games and to never make mistakes.
Ultimately, there are no excuses for this defeat, though you can’t hide the fact that Bent was lucky to get the ball back in his feet and Carlos Vela seemed to be fouled in the penalty area.
Why make changes so late?
It was clear Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo were not having a good game and you could see that, at the end of the first half.
Yet, Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela were introduced with only twenty minutes to go, twenty minutes during which they were full of life and created chances. Now I hope these two start on Tuesday because they deserve it and because both Samir and Tomas look tired and with Chelsea coming up, I don’t think it would be clever to use them twice in four days.
Chelsea
When asked about Chelsea, Arsene Wenger said there’s the Champions League first, and I agree with the attitude of taking one game at a time. But you can’t deny the importance of next Sunday’s game, where even a draw would be a disappointing result. I can’t wait for that game but at the same time I have the same feeling I had last season, knowing that a defeat would be very, very hard to recover from.
Looking Forward
The Champions League game is next and I repeat this game should be used to experiment and try new things to find a solution to Robin’s injury. Today’s solution didn’t work out, next Tuesday I hope to see cards shuffled and different solutions ahead of the now very-crucial Chelsea game.
I will not be providing any half time thoughts and ratings on the game as I’ll be abroad and back on Thursday, so back with the Chelsea preview.
Until then, dear friends, take care.
![[Video] Chelsea vs Arsenal: Match Video Highlights](http://www.thegunninghawk.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/scripts/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/video.jpg&w=80&h=80&zc=1)
i think we cant expect to much from arsenal in the game next weekend..
It is a funny one we have three loses and two draws away, maybe we need a good run of results away to get our away form running.
I think AW need to give Vela and Walcott a chance to in play in the next game. Play it 4-4-2 with Vela and Eduardo upfront supported by Rosicky, Fab, Song, Walcott and the usual back 4.
Cheers!
were is Arshavin in your line up ? and stop this nonsense of making line ups if you cant make a meaningful line up. Rosicky and Eduardo have had their chances and still prove nothing worthy of a first team start, we are tired of these average players thats why we are always an average team , doing injustice to players like Fab who deserve to be in best teams
south gooner, your post is really quite absurd.”Rosicky and Eduardo have had their chances and still prove nothing of a first team start”. Can you elaborate on that,I am really interested as to how you come to that conclusion.
It is indeed harsh, very harsh to call Tomas and Dudu “average” players.
If by average you are referring to their fitness level, then maybe yes, they still need more games to find their ideal fitness level.
You’re a bit of a prat aren’t ya South Gooner. Who are the top players in the other teams you’d like to use if top strikers are out… even Barca dont have a replacement for top players… get over yourself you miserable git
We will come strong in the upcoming matches..theo and vela have very big challenge before them..they should play very well in order to who against Chelsea..if we win against Chelsea..it will be a great morale booster..and Chelsea becomes weaker after jan so …..we can hope better to win the title..gunners will fire down the blues..
We will come strong in the upcoming matches..theo and vela have very big challenge before them..they should play very well in order to win against Chelsea..if we win against Chelsea..it will be a great morale booster..and Chelsea becomes weaker after jan so …..we can hope better to win the title..gunners will fire down the blues..
It really is time for Vela to start games. He has to be up front from the first minute in the upcoming UCL game. We’ve practically secured a spot in the knockout stages so there’s no reason no to start Vela. I would really be very disappointed if Eduardo starts the next game.
U all sound like we r doomed.Keep the same 11.eduardo needs games 4 his confident.Rest nasri & rosicky 4 chelsea.Vela & theo must stat on tuesday.Lastly & most important of all we nid 2 learn how 2 deal wit set pieces be it at attackin or defending.We might b a small squad but our movement off the ball shud b transfered 2 set play.We hav sagna, TV5, gallas, song who r nt very tall but r very strong.The keeper should also com out strongly help out
As i said before the beging of the season, that, if we dont add on our squard we are likely to strugle. and now, its happening.
We are good enough but, we are far away from winning any thing.
If happens i will come and apologise.
Too many changes, too many players below par, too little respect for a quite good Sunderland side. There really are no push overs in the Premier League, although too many Arsenal players seem to think that turning up is enough to win against “lesser teams”.
We need the pace of Walcott right from the kick-off, we need the energy of Vela not the lethargy of Nasri and Rosicky. If Arshavin can’t pick his game up, he admits to playing well in only one game this season, perhaps it’s time to let him find a country with lower tax rates. With only a few exceptions, his performances so far have been hugely disappointing.
I’m looking forward to seeing a revitalised Arsenal on Tuesday followed by a demolition job on the Pensioners at the weekend.
I hate to say it but Spurs showed how to apply the killer instinct on Sunday, 9 – 1 up and looking for more right up to the final whistle, no showboating, just a desire to punish a terrible Wigan defence.
Too many squad players are Not good enough to win anything at the top level. We see the same thing every year. Wenger makes mistakes in selection and appears deluded about his players ability. We are not good enough. Who says so ….the trophy cabinet!