Match Preview: Arsenal v Sunderland

Welcome back to our regularly scheduled football!

After two excruciating weeks. After having to endure a serious injury to an in form striker and a not so serious injury to an upcoming defender. And finally after having to endure the endless rants on Thierry Henry’s handball, we can finally get back to talking about something a lot more signifcant to us all – Arsenal football is back.

Arsenal are looking to pick up where the left off a fortnight ago when they impresively beat Wolverhampton 1-4. This time however, the Gunners face a slightly harder task in taking a Steve Bruce side that has played pretty well this season. Even though they have lost their last 3 we should all remember that this is a squad that got the best of United on its own turf only to have an OG ruin it for them (something eerily similar in that) and side that beat Liverpool. Even though a beach ball helped them – they outplayed the scousers for most of the afternoon.

Sunderland come in having recently lost to Spurs 0-2. And though they did lose they actually played well and should’ve come out with a point. In tha match the employed a 4-5-1 system with Bent up front. With Kenwynne Jones out of the Arsenal clash, it is expected that will do the same here too.

For Arsenal this is match that really cries for a win. Not just for the need to stay in second place and keep pressure on United and Chelsea. But the real need is to prove people wrong. Prove the November curse and all the pundits who think this is when Arsenal will fade away. And it is a worrisome fixture. We’ve not always been solid coming off of international breaks and when we lose key cogs we don’t always seem to fire on all cylinders.

This season however, the club is going about its business proving Arsene Wenger’s faith in his players and his overall developmental policy. The side are scoring at will with an average of 3.5 goals per game and have scored 36 in 11 Premier League matches, which was last done in 1963/1964. The Gunners are also riding an impressive undefeated streakhaving not lost in their last 7 EPL matches and in 13 matches in all competitions. You should note that only 1 was a draw in the EPL and one was a draw in the Champion’s league.

As is usual the press are making a feast of it on our injury list. And while there are a slew of players on it. There is good news as Fabianski, Vela,  Denilson, Walcott Wilshere and Traore are all available for inclusion in the squad. Gibbs should be back by Midweek or at least in time to face Chelsea (but that’s another story). While the loss of Van Perise and Bendtner are significant, they are hardly irreplaceable as our attack has resulted in 17 different scorers. It will be up to a cobbled Black Cat defense to slow them down.

Eduardo looks to be the front runner to fill in for Robin Van Persie. Having signed a new long-term contract and having been booted out of the World Cup, the Crozillian has his entire focus on succeeding at the Emirates. True, he hasn’t been 100% but he is coming on having scored a brace in one of Croatia’s recent friendlies and was all over a woeful Wolverhampton squad.  He has something to prove and I think this makes him more dangerous.

The question mark for the match, at least for me is Andrei Arshavin. There are some reports as to his fitness having come off a depressing WC qualifier loss. If he is ready, I think like Eduardo, the Russian is going to go out with something to prove. Andrei is one of the most dynamic players in the EPL and likely will be so in all of Europe in due time.

This is not going to be an easy opponent to match up against and Gunners fans should not be lookin past the Black Cats to our rendezvous with Chelsea. This has le-down written all over it but in my hearts I think this club is going to come and do as they have done all season and prove their doubters wrong. No one is picking Arsenal to stay the course and challenge for the title. I think this is something the Gunners relish and while they are not the invincibles they are a truly dynamic bunch of players who are going out each week doing what they do best.

How the match will play out:
I expect the usual sluggishness we see from Arsenal to start the game off.  With the blackcats at home I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of pressure and especially a lot of testing of whomever replaces Clichy/Gibbs on the left back side. However, I still think the fluidity of the 4-3-3, 4-1-2-1-2 or whatever we are calling it these days will allow all of our available attacking options to press the game. Ultimately, the Gunners patience in opening up opponents should will out. The Gunners are ever mindful of where they are on the table and they will be looking to set this game up as pressure on both United and Chelsea.

Players to Watch Out For:
Arsenal: It’s a tie. Cesc Fabregas took his league form to the international stage and did not lose a bit. Fabregas right is clearly the best midfielder in Europe right now. He is scoring, setting up plays and giving defenses fits. Eduardo is filling in for the injured Robin Van Persie and what the side will lose in height, they will gain in tenacity, guile and agility. Eduardo has been coming on as of late and while he did not directly score against Wolverhampton, he forced the two errors that resulted in OGs.

Sunderland: Marton Fulop. First team ‘keeper Craig Gordon is out for 3 months with a broken arm he suffered against Tottenham.  Fulop has been deputized to take his place. His last start was in August at home in a 2-1 win against Blackburn. He has not even started in Carling Cup matches at this point. He will be tested frequently by the Arsenal attack.

Injuries:
Arsenal: Van Persie, Bendtner, Diaby, Gibbs, Clichy, Djourou

Sunderland: Catermole, Gordon

Suspended:
Arsenal: None

Sunderland: Jones, Turner

Final Score:
Arsenal: 2
Sunderland: 1

Game Time is 10:00AM EST, 15:00BST
US TV: Fox Soccer (live)

Gameday Chat will be open!!!