Stingy Sunderland Won't Be Pushovers

Match Preview: Sunderland vs. Arsenal Premier League 25.10.2014

For a club nicknamed the Gunners, we’re spending an awful lot of time dodging bullets. Our latest act of artful dodging came courtesy of two goals in the final minutes of the match at Anderlecht, with Podolski’s goal the sixth stoppage-time goal we’ve scored. We’ve played 14 matches, by the way, and scored 21 goals in total. To say that we’re living on the edge is putting it mildly. We might then look forward to facing Sunderland, who found a way to concede eight goals to Southampton. The reality, however, is a bit more complex…

For one, the eight-fold orgy more than doubled the number of goals Sunderland conceded—they’d only conceded seven in seven previous matches. What’s more, the Black Cats are a bit stingier at home than on the road; in fact, they’ve only conceded four goals in four home-fixtures, one against Man U and two against Tottenham. In other words, they’re not quite as generous as their latest result might imply. More troubling, however, has been our own ability to concede the first goal, which we’ve done now in eight of 14 matches, forcing us to claw ourselves back into matches. Against the Man Cities and, er, Tottenhams of the world, that’s one thing. Against the likes of Anderlecht, Hull, and Crystal Palace it’s a problem of another order.

It’s not that we have to worry excessively about Sunderland’s attacking verve. They’ve scored only eight goals thus far. The larger issue is that we leak so many goals that it almost doesn’t matter how prolific our opponents are coming in. Whether this is due to the departure of Sagna or the more-recent injuries to Debuchy and Koscielny, we must tighten up our defense if we hope to make the most of this and subsequent fixtures. Chambers returns from suspension, but Koscielny looks to be rested, meaning that Monreal may have to play CB while Chambers plays on the right. They may not have to face the attacking onslaught that a squad like Chelsea can bring to bear, but Sunderland are sure to play physically, hoping to unnerve and fluster if not injure us.

Like us, they’ve frequently played a 4-1-4-1 with Steven Fletcher up top and Lee Cattermole shielding the defense. Like us, they’ve become vulnerable to counterattacks, especially along the wings, and if this invites the likes of Alexis, Ox, or perhaps Walcott to run amok, so much the better.

At our end, there’s good news and bad news, and it’s largely the same statistic. Sunderland have scored half of their goals from set-pieces. If we can deny them corners and free-kicks around the edges of the box, this will go a long way to shutting down their offense.  It should go without saying but, with the way things have gone, I’ll have to say it. The back-four and Flamini (if he’s the one shielding the defense) should be mindful of this threat and avoid silly fouls.

Let’s hope that the diffident efforts against Hull and Anderlecht were hampered by a return from a busy interlull and that the squad are settling back in to playing with each other…

LAST 3 Meetings

• Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland (22.02.2014)
• Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal (14.09.2013)
• Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal (09.02.2013)

FACTFILE

• The two clubs first clashed in November 1904—a 0-0 draw.
• Arsenal have scored first in the last three matches against Sunderland.

INJURIES AND BANS

Ospina, Koscielny, Giroud, Debuchy, Sanogo, and Özil have been ruled out. Wilshere will also miss the match after collecting his fifth caution of the season.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Szczesny; Gibbs, Monreal, Mertesacker, Chambers; Flamini, Ramsey; Alexis, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Welbeck.

GOONERSPHERE PREDICTION

Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal

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