Match Previews

Match Preview: Arsenal v Sunderland; Premier League Match Day 4

This was to be a day of oohs and ahhs. Sadly that may just have to wait. The Wizard of Özil’s debut was to be during this Premier League tie between Arsenal and Sunderland but recent reports suggest that Özil took ill and will be assessed pre-game. The same illness has kept Vice-Captain and Özil’s compatriot, Per Mertesacker at home.

by
DaAdminGooner
September 13, 2013

As it is, Jack Wilshere who needed a rest likely gets the nod in the attacking role.

A trip up to the Stadium of Light was a cause for angst in recent years with Martin O’Neill plying his “boot-in philosophy” up north. But O’Neill is gone and the ever unpredictable Paolo Di Canio will walk the sidelines against Arsene Wenger. What to expect from Sunderland is anyone’s best guess. Even predicting the squad is a chore as, di Canio hasn’t yet rolled out a consistent lineup yet and Sunderland brought in a slew of new faces at the deadline.

One thing we can anticipate is that di Canio isn’t going to sit back he will want to attack and for the first time going to Sunderland may play into Arsenal’s favor. The more open the match becomes the more likely it will be for Arsenal to get their chances. Arsenal have excelled in their matches by using their midfield superiority. They have been excellent at exploiting gaps and getting behind the opposition’s midfield and creating advantages versus the opposition defense.

Additionally, Theo Walcott, often chided for his lack of a footballing brain, has matured to the point where he is picking his chances and learning when to apply speed. What’s this mean? It used to be that Walcott was a one trick pony – get him the ball out wide and watch him go. He still does that mind you but it’s not his only trick now. Walcott is deftly using his speed, buying time and waiting for the opportunity to slip behind the opposition and charge in on goal. His chances and assists against Tottenham showing that growth.

Regardless of whether Özil starts or not, there is enough skill and talent in the Arsenal midfield to still create those chances. There is also a chance for Arsenal to exploit a weakness of Sunderland’s that Michael Cox points out on the dot com and that is in corners. I believe Sunderland have conceded one in every match so far. Arsenal have increasingly improved in this category and with the likes of Koscielny, Giroud and Sagna likely to be roaming the box on corners, every chance is there.

Arsenal are not the team that lost on opening day. It was an abysmal start to the season. An appropriate crescendo to a summer of such disquiet? In reality, Arsenal have always been better than that. They are still an inform side. They are a comfortable unit playing together. And even with the “illnesses” and injuries, this club is coming together nicely.

Will they win the title? No. Can they challenge for it – absolutely. It will be a slog but there is no reason why not. All they have to do is insure that this return from the interlull doesn’t start off like last seasons.

How the match should play out:
Arsenal on the road are pretty much the same as Arsenal at home. This is a team that has one singular focus – attack minded football. They’ve learnt some grit and resilience to go with that but for the most part Arsenal are going to be energized and are going to look to set the tempo and control the midfield early. di Canio’s side likely will be hurt by the fact that the bulk of the team only likely met each other on the team bus on the way to the match. Sunderland will improve but they are still a side trying to find themselves and they will likely still look like the lost souls that lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace before the international break. Hard to see past anything other than an Arsenal win here.

Players to watch:
Arsenal: Jack Wilshere. I originally thought he’d get a rest but with Özil likely to at least start on the bench due to his illness, Jack gets the nod. He needs to shut up the naysayers who have been on him unfairly about a lackluster performance against the Ukraine.

Sunderland: Jozy Altidore. Coming over from Holland, the American has shown immense maturity since his last visit to the Premier League. Only question is, will Di Canio start him.

Projected Lineups: