On the other side of the coin, this same fixture last year was a 1-0 defeat to us but at a ground where we have never had much luck, a point was something to savour.
Steve Bruce spoke before the match of how much respect and admiration he had for the work done by Wenger both at Arsenal and in the game. Complimentary as it looks, such comments before a meeting between sides, often helps to lull opponents into a false sense of security.
It looked to have been case as the game kicked off in the Stadium of Light late in the day. The hosts swarmed over us and launched attack after attack. They set out their stall quite early and were intent on denying us all the space, latitude and ‘respect’ that Braga showed during the midweek.
Good enough. Until the 13th minute that is.
All Sunderland’s efforts yielded were cornerkicks after cornerkicks until the 13th minute when a goal of unbelievable dimensions changed the face of the game.
A harmless ball was played back to Anton Ferdinand in the Sunderland defence and all he needed do was to pass it on or hoof it upfield. Instead, he dallied and dallied until at the last minute, he attempted a clearance with Fabregas closing in.
The now-hasty clearance rebounded off Fabregas’ right peg and sailed high into the air, over and above the retreating Simon Mignolet in goal for Sunderland and straight into the hosts’ net. Comical was too inadequate to describe it.
Steve Bruce’s hands-on-the-head pose captured the disbelief around the stadium and as he explained post-match, such a goal only happened in the “old school days kickabouts”. Well, this was the premiership; edition of 2010.
Fabregas must have tweaked his hamstring because ten minutes later, he departed the pitch.
Sunderland continued pressing with huge doses of cornerkicks but we repelled everything and actually upped our game in the second half. Two decent chances fell to Arshavin which he fluffed (customarily?) and one to Chamakh after a fine interchange between Nasri and Rosicky but Mignolet saved at his feet.
Then in the 56th, events turned against us as Song was shown a second caution and sent off. Down to ten men, we still fought on bravely and kept Sunderland at bay. It got even better for us when El Mohammady scythed Nasri in the 72nd and the referee promptly pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Rosicky, wearing the captain’s band in Fabregas’ absence, who skied the ball into Row Z.
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff again for us as Sunderland poured forward in droves to nick something. We were doing a very good job of it though until the 95th minute when a high ball was lifted into the box and fell between Squillaci and Wilshire. Before both, or any of them could respond, up popped Darren Bent to smash the ball past the diving Almunia for their equalizer.
A true test of wills this was, but one I believe we emerged from with heads held high. And a precious point away from home as well.
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| Turning point...Rosicky blasting away his penalty kick that gave Sunderland hope |
Below are the ratings.
*Almunia (7/10) – Was impressive throughout and commanded his area well despite the onslaught of cornerkicks. Looks to have really upped his game and there seems to be a better understanding now between him and the defence. Stopped everything that came his way until Bent’s late, late show. No fault attached to him for that at all.
* Sagna (7/10) – Did his usual bit and ran his socks off for the team. It was going to be a night of top defending if we were to get anything there and he stepped up to the mark admirably.
* Squillaci (8/10) – Coped very well with all of Sunderland’s onslaught and emerged with his reputation very much intact. The wisdom in his acquisition is quite clear for all to see. His experience proved vital throughout the game as we had to defend for long stretches. Him, along with other members of the defence were my men of the match.
* Koscielny (8/10) – Another hero for us on the night. He enhanced his growing reputation by combining with Squillaci to keep Bent, Wellbeck, Henderson & co at bay. Very assured on the ball and had a great game despite the late equalizer. His performance since the start of the season clearly bodes well for our defensive record this season.
* Clichy (7/10) – Also dealt will all that came his way and kept the dangerous Kieran Richardson very quiet. Couldn’t combine effectively with Arshavin in front of him though but did his bit in the back four. Headed a goalbound ball off the line in the second half.
* Song (6/10) – Was overrun by Sunderland’s five-man midfield in the first half but stepped up his game as the match unfolded. Picked up unnecessary cautions that led to a red card in the 55th minute but should be back for the West Brom this weekend after serving his suspension against Tottenham in the Carling Cup.
* Wilshire (8/10) – After the defence duo of Squillaci and Koscielny, he was our next most-impressive player. Was almost everywhere on the pitch; passing, running and tackling and being tackled. Got a lot of rough treatment from the Sunderland players but was not faved. Always got up, dusted himself and ploughed in again. A true lion heart, this Jack.
* Fabregas (6/10) – He won’t score another goal in his career like the one he got in the13th minute. But kudos to him for persistence. Not afforded time on the ball as he would want. Eventually succumbed to a tight hamstring and departed early. Bad news now is that he may be out for a month.
* Nasri (7/10) – In the circumstances, did quite well. Absent was the time and space enjoyed by us against Braga, nonetheless, he took the game to the Mackems and supported Chamakh upfront. His determination drew the penalty that would have sewn up the three points for us. Sadly, it was not to be.
* Arshavin (5/10) – Poor, poor game by his standards. He seems to have his mind elsewhere half the time. At the end of two very good balls in the first half and another from Song early in the second. Made nothing out of both and was (almost expectedly now) sacrificed for Denilson after the Song red card. Doesn’t appear to be happy about something.
* Chamakh (7/10) – You got to love this guy. Battled bravery all through 90 minutes with complete dedication. He has already shown what a handy purchase he is. Saturday wasn’t one of his good days, but you could never fault him for attitude. Kept running and troubling the Sunderland defence pair of Ferdinand and Titus Bramble, though the lack of support eventually wore him out.
Subs
• Denilson (6/10) – Clearly now, he is seen as a defensive midfielder and sidekick to Song. Came on after the Camerounian was sent off. Tried to stem Sunderland’s forays through the middle and almost nicked a breakaway goal late in the game. Not the first choice though in a starting line-up.
• Rosicky (6/10) - At the centre of the game’s biggest talking point. Had the chance to seal the points with a penalty kick, which he bungled spectacularly for a player of his considerable experience. Heads dropped a bit after that, but for Bent’s late intervention, he would have got away with that costly miss.
Next up, we go to White Hart Lane on Tuesday night as Carling Cup season kicks off. It’s bound to be a tough night ahead and with Wenger traditionally giving the kids and squad members a run out, anything could happen there. Unconfirmed early rumours have it that the Polish sensation Wojciech Szczesny will be preferred to ‘Calamity Lukasz’ in goal. That for me, is positive and hopeful enough.
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