Arshavin pulled up a little before the half time whistle and we feared that he may have picked up an injury that would have been typical of our club over the last few years

Match Review – Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 – Premier League

This was a story that was supposed to go to plan, Arshavin’s debut, Arsenal’s impressive return to attacking football on the Monday, Sunderland were going to be the first of many to be blown away by this new rejuvenated Arsenal team. Well that was the way it had played in my head.

After trying to find the green jacket man that we have never met before, we claimed our tickets and handed over the cash, credit crunch or no credit crunch handing over £40 for one Premier League game makes me wince just a little. The days of being a Junior Gunner at Highbury and paying less than a tenner is still stuck with me I think.

I was chuffed to find out that Arshavin was starting the game, a little surprised that Nasri was joining him from the start as I assumed that he would be rested with Roma in mind.

Arshavin started on the right with Nasri on the left, Van Persie replaced the injured Eduardo and Clichy came back in for Gibbs.

We started the match at a decent tempo, passed quickly without really combining like we did against Cardiff. The early signs were positive though.

It only took 5 minutes for the debut boy to make an impact, a terrible misplaced pass from ex Spud Andy Reid, fell to Arshavin half way inside the Sunderland half, he drove forward and had Bendtner and Van Persie pulling away to make room for the pass, Arshavin took it to just outside the penalty area and his low shot spun just wide of the far post.

6 minutes later Van Persie was presented with the best chance of the day, Denilson’s excellent through pass cut apart Sunderland and found the Dutchman advancing towards Fulop, Van Persie sidestepped the keeper and clipped an effort towards goal but unfortunately for Arsenal his shot chipped wide of the far post.

In current form you would have chosen Van Persie yourself if someone had to take that chance.

Andrey Arshavin was again involved in the 15th minute when he picked up the ball from the right, cut inside and hit a powerful left footed shot that was parried over the bar from the Sunderland keeper. We do not have many players in our squad who can hit the ball like that on their weaker side. When he settles in eventually you can expect goals from him as well as assists. He looks like someone who knows where the goal is and is not afraid to have a go. We have missed that since Overmars and Pires after him.

Almunia blocked an Anton Ferdinand effort a few minutes later, Sunderland were not really giving Almunia much in the way of work through out the half. Andy Reid did drive a strike high and over Almunia’s goal in the 21st.

Arshavin was proving to be Arsenal’s most dangerous threat in attack, and it was his cross from the right to Bendtner who had his header saved once again from Fulop.

Bendtner who was fantastic against Cardiff was not having his best game. He gave the ball away continuously throughout the half and could not link up with Van Persie. On his day he can be very effective and dangerous but when he has an off day, you know about it. It is the kind of inconsistency you can expect from a player of his age.

Nasri and Arshavin were swapping flanks throughout the first half and the former was not at his influential best. Sometimes you want him to be more decisive and more penetrative. Certain games he teases and turns without making any progress, infact he was quite the opposite of what Arshavin was on the day.

Just before half time Kolo Toure was the latest member of the Arsenal team to have a sight of goal, his turn and shot was smothered low by the Sunderland keeper who put on a usual away goalkeeper performance.

Arshavin pulled up a little before the half time whistle and we feared that he may have picked up an injury that would have been typical of our club over the last few years. He was jogging gingerly but managed to make it back out for the second half after some supposed medical attention from the staff.

Sunderland came out in the second half with a new set of instructions, it was clear that they would have been delighted with a point.

On 63 Wenger replaced Arshavin who was starting to fade out of the game for Carlos Vela who impressed last week.

Carlos Vela had the chance to win the game for Arsenal in the 77th minute. Nasri swung over a deep cross into the box which fell to the Mexican. He took a touch and dragged his shot wide of the far post. We have seen Vela have such a cool head in front of goal but this time he lost his cool.

Alex Song and Denilson who are essentially defensive minded players could not provide the team with what was needed to break down a very defensive minded Sunderland team. Alex Song was having to play a role where he is fairly limited. He gave the ball away under pressure countless times. Denilson was having a very good game, closing opposition players down and making blocks to start attacks by keeping possession. If you ask Denilson to pick the ball up and run past 3 players and chip the keeper then you are asking the wrong player, but he worked very hard for the team and tried to keep our tempo high.

Against parking the bus teams, it is a waste partnering Song and Denilson. You need a player who will unlock defensives as Cesc can, Abou Diaby won’t unlock teams by passing it through teams but he will by his ability to run past people and score goals. Nasri is another player who can play in that central area.

In the 78th minute Wenger finally made the change that the side needed for most of the game. Eboue came on for Song which allowed Nasri to join Denilson in the middle. It only takes a few seconds to score a goal but it also gives you more chance if you have more time. I personally think that the change could have been made on the hour mark instead of 10 minutes from the end.

Vela slashed a shot wide, and Bendtner had a shot saved.

Gallas had a great chance to put Arsenal ahead in the last minute when Gibbs who replaced Clichy crossed into the box and the ball fell to the central defender who dragged his shot wide instead of hitting the target. It was the kind of chance that you wish landed at the feet of Eduardo.

In time added on Gallas launched a long pass that was flicked on by Bendtner the ball fell to Eboue who touched it on to Van Persie but his low shot was saved once again by the impressive Fulop in goal.

And that is how the game ended. 4 draws in a row, 3 games without scoring. 8 points dropped, the attack will have to sharpen up before the creative players come back because 4th maybe out of reach before those players are sharp enough to make an impact.

Arsenal need to raise game to reach 4th, especially with the run of fixtures we have coming up. Arsenal football club need to beat Sunderland at home.

On the positive side, we have witnessed a good first display from Arshavin and he will get better. We created chances that should have been converted, but at least we created chances. Lets hope we can beat Roma and kick start our season.