The Emirates Stadium is once again the venue, but this time for a Premier League fixture, against Sunderland.
The Black Cats have shown on multiple occasions this season, that they’re more than capable of mixing it with the “Big Teams”.
They held us to a 2-2 draw, when we played them at the Stadium of Light, and the memory of that game… should keep any Arsenal complacency at bay.
Sunderland are on the back of a 3-0 win against Burnley, and The Arsenal are on the back of a dramatic 1-0 semi-final win… over Chelsea, in the Carabao Cup… so both teams will be fairly confident, going into this match.
Our fans were in full voice, and immediately dispelled any notions, that it would be a tense, anxious atmosphere.
Instead, there was belief in the air, and a level of certainty… that we’d put in an professional performance. A prrrrfect pawformance, against The Black Cats.
The line-up was David Raya in goal, Timber at right-back, Saliba and Gabriel, in central defence, and Calafiori at left-back.
In front of them, was a midfield trio of Havertz, Zubimendi, and Rice.
The front three was Madueke on the right, Gabriel Jesus through the middle, and Trossard on the left.
We started the game determined to remind Sunderland, that they are at the home of the champions elect. Our movement, and slick passing, were hand-in-hand, like newlyweds… and The Gunners, were ready for the first dance.
Warning shots from Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz were fired… but not before The Black Cats had a chance of their own… when David Raya fluffed his attempt to catch the ball, and it resulted in a Sunderland shot. Fortunately though, the shot was blocked, and cleared away, by Kai Havertz.
The Arsenal responded pawfectly in the 42nd minute, when Trossard squared the ball to Zumbimendi, near the edge of the box… and Zoobaaah-Zoobaaah, struck the ball beautifully, with the outside of his right foot. The ball kissed the post tenderly, on it’s was past the Sunderland keeper. A world class finish, that made it 1-0 to The Arsenal!!
The Black Cats were in a low block, but to their credit… they showed ambition, and tried to attack us. This meant more space than usual, for our attackers to exploit.
Havertz did just that, when deep in his own half, he put a defence-splitting through ball, into the space for Jesus. As Jesus sprinted into the box, with the goal at his mercy… and ready to pull the trigger… he was bundled over by the Sunderland defender, Daniel Ballard. We thought we had a penalty, but after a VAR check, Gabriel Jesus was deemed to be offside.
The Black Cats survive by their whiskers, but I’m pretty sure they lost at least 4 of their 9 lives.
Unfortunately we couldn’t add to our goal tally, and the curtain dropped on the first half, with The Gunners leading 1-0.
Sunderland had some “Nearly moments” early in the second half, when we were careless with the ball, a few times… but defending as a team, all over the pitch, ensured the ball was recovered quickly.
A whisper from the clock in the 60th minute, encouraged Mikel Arteta to make substitutions.
On came Martinelli for Madueke, and Gyokeres replaced Gabriel Jesus.
In the 66th minute, Trossard intercepted a Sunderland pass, and threaded the ball through to Havertz. He cut it back to Gyokeres… and although Gyokeres was off balance, he finished the move with aplomb, as he was falling over. A powerful right foot finish. 2-0 to the Arsenal!!
Another Havertz assist to Gyokeres, and the chemistry between them, seems to be getting better, and better. Long may it continue!!
As both Calafiori, and Havertz, have not long returned of injury… they were replaced by Hincapie, and Eze, respectively.
Due to The Black Cats having to go for it now, there was space all over the pitch. The game had opened up… but The Gunners wanted closing time.
We were dominant, and The Black Cats were looking like they’d be quite happy for the referee to end the match early, to prevent further torment, from the Arsenal laser pen.
In the 93rd minute, a Norgaard clearance fell kindly for Martinelli… and still in his own half, he flicked the ball over the Sunderland left-back Reinildo, and sprinted past him. As he entered the Sunderland box, he unselfishly squared the ball to Gyokeres, who tapped the ball into an empty net. It was classic breakaway goal. 3-0 to The Arsenal!! That’s a brace for Gyokeres, from the bench, and that’s now 6 goals, in 8 games, for him.
All the ignorami who relentlessly tried to force the false narrative, that Gyokeres isn’t a good player, are looking rather stupid right now.
They’ll continue to look stupid, and Gyokeres will continue to let his football do the talking.
Aaaaaanywhoooo… the match finished 3-0 to us, and it was a deserved win. A professional win. A win to underline our mental strength. A win once again showing our squad depth, and that it’s abundantly clear… regardless of who starts for Arsenal, they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet… and they’re singing, beautifully.
Next up, we have a tricky away game against Brentford… and I’m sure The Bees will be eager to sting us. We’ll have to bee-keeper them, at bay… and take the 3 point shaped honeycomb.
Do you agree with my match analysis?
Will Gyokeres continue scoring?
Are you concerned about Mancheatster City catching us?
Let me know in the comments, as usual. COYG!!
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