Arsène Wenger threw us all a curveball. Not only did he revert back to 4-2-3-1 but instead of using Santi Cazorla behind Danny Welbeck he gave that role to our big summer signing. Alexis Sanchez had played a large part of his career at Udinese behind Antonio Di Natale and he proved to be a star in that role. Alexis had started the season like a fireball without much direction. His passing was erratic and he wasn't on the same wavelength as the rest of his colleagues. Since then Alexis Sanchez has been the undisputed technical leader of this team. We have the Chilean to thank for bailing us out against Hull City, Anderlecht and now Sunderland. I don't think I can remember a player at Arsenal so forceful at stamping his personality on games
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Sunderland (a) “I’d take Alexis straight to bed, after already ordering buckets of fried chicken” – Q&A
I was tempted to say Per, but that would be unfair because the reason we won was down to one man's energy and determination. Alexis Sanchez is World Class (my definition being they'd get into a World Squad of 25) and he is so perfectly suited to the Premier League. I actually saw an increased work rate from some of our players today and I think that is down to Alexis Sanchez leading by example. The media and Sunderland fans will probably be harsh on Wes Brown and Don Vito, but Alexis Sanchez accelerating at you at that pace will scare the best of defenders. When the free flowing football isn't working, the result will usually come if you get your head down, work hard and grind it out, and luckily for us Alexis has it all.
Sunderland (a) Confirmed Line Up: Theo is back, Arteta starts with Flamini & Monreal continues at centre back
So Theo Walcott makes the Arsenal bench but there are more pressing changes that the team will have to deal with. Arsene Wenger is protecting Aaron Ramsey from playing two games in four days after injury, so the Welshman is on the bench. Mikel Arteta comes back into the side in the Welshman's place. Monreal continues at centre back with Chambers at right back. Oxlade-Chamberlain comes back into the starting 11 after missing out in midweek.
Sunderland (a) Time to get it together
Our never say die attitude saved our bacon against Anderlecht in midweek but our performances are very much an issue of late. At least our last two matches. What we are seeing on the pitch just does not match the talent we have in our team. It seems crazy to think that a team fielding Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey and Alexis is currently lacking creativity, but that has been the case against those who sit back and allow us space in front of them but hardly any in behind. It partly explains why Alexis Sanchez has been the only one who has been able to carve out assists in the last two matches. He is capable of weaving through players in tight spaces something that not many of our squad can do
Anderlecht (a) – Individualistic Arsenal struggling to find Wengerball
That goal hit us like a huge uppercut to the chin, we were all over the place and could not stand straight for ten minutes, in which time the home side should have put us to bed. They had the chances but failed to make it count. They actually reminded me of a young Arsenal team during the periods 2009-2011. Going ahead, missing chances and then showboating. As time was ticking down the Anderlecht players started flicking the ball to each other and over elaborating when seeing the game out should have been the goal.
Anderlecht (a) “Attacking phases are lacklustre, there’s no cohesion” – Q&A
Definitely our attacking play, our defensive display has been absolutely shocking too though. However, defensively we did not have our strongest players on the pitch, instead we had 4 players who weren't used to each other working as hard as they could, most of then anyway. Attacking wise, we have incredible attacking midfielders and forwards, but they seem to have forgotten how to shoot and look obsessed with trying to pass and dribble the ball into the net
Anderlecht (a) Confirmed Line Up: Monreal and Ramsey start
The back line changes for the umteenth time tonight. Calum Chambers comes back into the team. We were not quite sure which position he would play but we now have it confirmed that Monreal will be starting which means a dropping to the bench for Bellerin. Mathieu Flamini keeps his place in the side ahead of Mikel Arteta who waits for his chance from the bench.
Anderlecht (a) Thoughts & Line Up: Start with tempo and urgency, and keep it!
Calum Chambers is back from suspension and will play but the question is where? Not only where but who will he replace? The candidates are Nacho Monreal who had a good game against Hull at centre back even though it seemed many were waiting for him to fail. The other option is to replace Hector Bellerin but he was one of our better performers on the day. Given the pressure on the team I wouldn't be surprised to see Monreal keep his place, shifting Chambers to right back but I'd much prefer letting Bellerin continue at right back and moving Chambers back into a more natural position at centre back.
Your Vision – Interesting Times
Our problems are no longer financial, at least less so. The club has more stability therefore it can buy players of Ozil's and Sanchez's quality that can come and immediately have an impact. Personally i am not a big fan of Mezut, who i think is a great talent, but don't particularly see him as a great purchase when we could have gotten someone like Suarez or a player more suited to our needs at that particular time. Getting him felt like a statement, and i believe we needed that to
Hull City (h) – Race over before it’s begun
Alexis rather majestically body swerved past his man and drilled low into the far corner I thought we had done the hard part, the rest of the game should open up because we had broken through the two banks of four nice and early and ruined the oppositions game plan. Except the referee and his assistant had other ideas. This is the point where I am supposed to add the footballing disclaimer. Telling you that it is not to excuse our performance and that all of the blame must lie with ourselves.