Gunners Desperate For A Big Win – Match Preview

Sunderland vs Arsenal Match Preview – Premier League – 25.10.14

Today Arsenal play their third game in a run of so called “easy” matches and after struggling to some something out of the previous two games we are all hoping for third time lucky. Arsenal need a performance, not just a winning one but a convincing win, something like the Galatasaray result – a display of complete superiority.

Sunderland are today’s opponents and having been annihilated 8-0 by Southampton last weekend you could be forgiven for thinking we too will steamroller them. I am far less confident about this match than I was when the fixtures were released. Arsenal’s lack of consistency is worrisome but less so than Sunderland coming off the back of an 8-0 defeat.

It is highly likely that Gus Poyet, an ex-Spurs and Chelsea man who strangely enough I quite like, will set up his Sunderland team much more defensively than last week and will look to ensure they don’t concede, regardless of the result.

Couple this with the fact that before last week Sunderland had only conceded 7 in 7 and tend to be better at home than on the road and you have a recipe for another disastrous result for Arsenal.

It says a lot about the state of results at the moment that I am genuinely concerned about Sunderland – a team who just shipped 8 goals.

Arsenal have been getting through most games by the skin of their teeth and late goals. We are showing a lot of determination when going behind so aren’t losing too many games but the key to success this season starts with having the determination and desire to do something when things are still level and not just when we go behind.

Welbeck will be the man through the middle again and his pace will be key in unlocking a much better prepared and motivated defence than we’ve faced for most of the season. Our new striker will be returning to the club where he truly started his Premier League career, spending a season on loan there from United.

Walcott is fit again but is unlikely to feature today but with Sanchez pulling the strings and taking charge like he has recently we should still have enough to see the game out.

Arsenal from; Szczesny, Martinez, Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Arteta, Flamini, Chamberlain, Ramsey, Rosicky, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck, Campbell

Predicted Line-up

Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Sanchez

I expect to see substitute appearances from Arteta, Rosicky and Campbell

Match Quote

“I’ve always been in the positions but those two goals [at Sunderland], and the couple that I scored in the Champions League early [in the season], just set me up and I felt really comfortable in front of goal” – Aaron Ramsey

Last 3 Meetings

• Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland (22.02.14)
• Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal (14.09.13)
• Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal (09.02.13)

Form Guide

Arsenal Last 5
WDLWD

Sunderland Last 5
LWDLD

Opposition watch

Sunderland, one result aside, have been relatively sound in defence this season and have made it difficult for quite a few teams. After last weeks humiliation they will not want a repeat so I expect them to flood the midfield and play a defensive version of our 4-1-4-1.

Factfile

• Sunderland haven’t beaten Arsenal in the league, home or away, since November 2009
• Arsenal have only lost 3 times in 26 EPL matches against Sunderland
• Arsenal have scored 45 times against Sunderland in the Premier League and conceded only 17
• Sunderland have conceded 3 or more goals against Arsenal on 9 separate occasions in the EPL, 3 of which finished with the Gunners scoring 4

Prediction

Historically this is a game you could count on to either be a boring draw or a 3+ goal win for Arsenal. Based on recent form for both teams you could argue for the same happening today. Arsenal would love to record a high scoring win to build on and Sunderland will be looking to close up shop at all costs after last week. I’m going for the secret third option of a closely run win for Arsenal. 2-1 with Alexis and Welbeck on the score sheet.

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