Arsenal inexplicably surrendered two points in the title race by conceding a late equaliser at Sunderland, in a frustrating game in the North East on Saturday evening.
In the first half, Arsenal were pedestrian in possession and although they enjoyed the vast majority of possession and territory, they did little with either, and in truth never looked like scoring. At the other end, Sunderland threatened from set pieces and launched the ball into the Arsenal box at every opportunity and this ultimately led to the first goal of the game. From a long free kick (from the Sunderland goalkeeper!), Declan Rice and Dan Ballard challenged for the ball, but as the Arsenal midfielder stood still after the ball went wide to a Sunderland head, Ballard continued his run and finished smartly as the ball broke kindly following Mukiele’s knock down. It was a composed finish from the ex-Arsenal trainee that owed plenty to Arsenal’s generous defending. Something we’re not used to seeing as Arsenal cheaply surrendered their clean sheet record with a whimper.
The second half was a completely different game as Arsenal came flying out of the blocks. They were again camped in Sunderland’s half, although this time there was a threat and menace about their play. Arsenal’s endeavour led to a deserved equaliser as the Arsenal press won the ball back deep into Sunderland territory and passed the ball around nicely with the ball eventually ending up at the feet of Bukayo Saka who drilled in the equaliser inside Roef’s near post with his right foot. The game continued in the same vain, as Sunderland struggled to get out. Sunderland were lucky to survive on a couple of occasion, especially when Martin Zubimendi rattled the bar from the edge of the box, and you sensed a second Arsenal goal was coming due. It arrived via a thunderbolt of a finish from Leandro Trossard who worked a bit of space for himself on the edge of the Sunderland box and arrowed in a brilliant goal into the roof of the net. A goal worthy of winning any came yet this was unfortunately not to be the winner.
The kitchen sink came from Sunderland and Arsenal survived a few scares and were thankful to David Raya on a couple of occasions, as they failed to clear their box sufficiently which led to unwanted scrambling from the Arsenal backline.
Arsenal failed to get the third goal and were made to pay in stoppage time when yet another simple chip into the Arsenal box was poorly defended leading to Ryan Brobbey somehow poking home acrobatically with David Raya and Gabriel making a real mess between them.
There was still one chance left in the game and it fell to Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian’s header from a pinpoint Saka cross was denied at close range by Roefs with the follow up from Merino being brilliantly blocked away for a corner with an Arsenal winner seemingly inevitable.
That was to be the last act of note in the game as Arsenal gifted Liverpool and Manchester City a way back into the title race with uncharacteristically poor defending throughout, as they were undone time and again by simple chips into their box. The lead stands at 7 points at time of writing, but Arsenal have given their rivals a real opportunity to reel them in as their last game before the international break ends in a draw.
If winning the game in the last minute at Newcastle was the sign of champions….this was the direct opposite.
David Raya – 7
Would have been a much higher score without the strange decision to come flying out and turn his back on the ball for Sunderland’s equaliser. Some great saves prior, to preserve Arsenal’s lead and he had no chance with the opener, but what on earth was he doing there?
Jurrien Timber – 7
Steady again as he kept all comers down the left hand side quiet throughout. Was much more involved in an attacking sense after half time with some great link up play with Bukayo Saka.
William Saliba – 5
Didn’t look assured as in recent times and was one of a few defenders that seemed genuinely unnerved by Sunderland’s direct approach. Blasted over a great chance at the end of the first half, which sums up his evening really. Not sure what he was doing when Sunderland equalised, but it wasn’t defending. I’d maybe call it, watching?
Gabriel – 4
As we praise our big Brazilian to the hills during times of magnificence, we must also acknowledge the times when he’s not at it and today, unfortunately, was one of those days. Outmuscled on a number of occasions and was not strong enough or quick enough to stop the late equaliser. Didn’t put in a challenge for the opener either. Looked a different player to the one we’ve seen during our winning run.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Was caught in no man’s land for the Ballard goal as he and Gabriel decided to let Mukiele have a free header from the goalkeeper’s kick. Ignored time and again by Trossard on the overlap but nearly turned hero when he headed straight at Roefs deep into stoppage time.
Martin Zubimendi – 5
Saw a lot of the ball, yet did very little with it. Too slow in possession at times, especially in the first half, and offered very little penetration with most of his passes going sideways. Poked wide following a smart Trossard throughball before rattling the crossbar with an excellent effort. Lost the duel which led to the equaliser, which lost him a mark on his rating.
Declan Rice – 7
A real mixed bag from Rice. Painfully poor on the opener as he let Ballard run off him unopposed. Then did brilliantly in the press to force the Arsenal equaliser and generally seemed to be the one that carried the threat to Sunderland in the second half with his direct running. Almost lost the ball and gifted Sunderland a free run at Raya, but recovered to just about get away with it. Brilliant set pieces as normal.
Eberechi Eze – 5
Was wasteful at times today, as good chances fell his way that he squandered without really testing the goalkeeper. Looked good when linking around the Sunderland box, but ultimately did not really do enough to carve them open as Arsenal missed Odegaard’s guile. Will be interesting to see where Eze fits into this Arsenal team when the skipper returns. I doubt it will be in his position.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Below par in the first half, much improved after the break. Had the beating of his fullback every time without doing too much with it. Took his goal well to level things up, as he beat Roefs down low at his near post. Disappeared from view once we got our noses ahead just as we were looking for our leaders to help us over the line. Put in a really good cross late on that nearly snatched the lead back for Arsenal which showed what he could have brought to the team had we turned the screw at 2-1.
Mikel Merino – 6
Seemed allergic to the Sunderland box in the first half, as he spent the whole half deep in midfield. Pushed much further forward in the second half and was strong in his duels both going forward and when defending our box. Nearly snatched the winner in the 96th minute, only to see his effort blocked by Ballard with the goal gaping behind him.
Leandro Trossard – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
His strong form continues as he looked after the ball well and always looked threatening. Seemed reluctant to use Calafiori on the overlap, but used the space that the Italian’s runs created well. Brilliant goal to give Arsenal the lead. One of his best for Arsenal. Seemed very animated late on when he was trying to rally the Arsenal players to see the game out. Has become a real leader in the squad.
Subs:
Cristhian Mosquera – 5 – Came on to shore things up, wasn’t able to help Arsenal see the game out though in fairness, the equaliser came down the other side.