When Robin van Persie scored the brace at home against Sunderland to secure a win for the Gunners earlier in the season, it was a completely different Sunderland outfit. With the change in manager, the team has performed admirably in the last two months, losing just two of their last ten outings. Former Aston Villa boss, Martin O’Neil, with his tactical brilliance has brought in maturity and stability to the side. They have picked 13 of the last 15 available points in the league and it would be mighty difficult for Arsenal, who are struggling down the road, to bring back some points from the North-East.
On the other hand, it is the perfect time for Arsenal to start their season-saving adventure, having shown the ‘real class’ in their last game against Blackburn where they hammered in seven goals. It was not only the amount of goals scored but the performance that mattered and is very important in the run of games in front of Arsenal now. They face Sunderland in the league followed by an away European trip to the San Siro and finally come back to the Stadium of Light yet again for an FA Cup encounter. A lot of determination, clever team rotation and team spirit is required to get over this phase in flying colors.
Team News And Tactical Brief
Sunderland
Star man Stephane Sessegnon made sure that Sunderland get to play Arsenal twice in a fortnight after scoring the all-important second goal in the FA Cup encounter against Boro. Like Arsenal have found a lot of delight in a youngster showing incredible promise, Sunderland have their own 22-year old winger James McClean, who has been quite sensational in recent months. The worry for the Sunderland boss will be the tired legs of his players who played a very long FA Cup tie in midweek, the disadvantage of going for a replay! Despite theAi??strenuousAi??mid-week workout, O’Neil is likely start the same Back Five with a lot of Manchester United feel in it in the form of O’Shea and Richardson. The midfield is a bit inexperienced but is hard-working and creative. Seb Larsson will, as usual, be the key man for the home side.
Frazer Campbell is back from an injury, and is expected to start ahead of Connor Wickham. He will have a lot of supply to deal with from creative head Sessegnon. Nicolas Bendtner is suffering from a nose injury but it is inconsequential anyway as he is not permitted to play against his ‘mother’ club. Sunderland possess a lot of threat from the wings with raw pace, and it will be very important for the Arsenal wide players to help out their Full Backs if they want to bring back points from the Stadium of Light.
With a smashing performance at home, the spirit and confidence is high, but Arsene knows that the next round of games will almost decide the fate of this Arsenal team and his future to some extent. It is a nice balance between league, FA Cup and European Success that the manager needs to figure out if he wants to see his team win some silverware at the end of this season. The event of Arsenal trying for only the league Top Four means there won’t be any trophies coming to Arsenal yet again at the end of the season. In the event of such a happening and the looming backlash on such an eventuality can have a lot ofAi??repercussions on the board of control.
The team news will have Kieran Gibbs back in the squad but not match-fit to start which means Thomas Vermaelen will have to continue in a position he definitely dislikes. Bacary Sagna will surely start on the Right Full Back slot while the big German and Koscielny will hold guard at the back of Arsenal’s defense. The big decision that Arsene has to make is the selection of the attacking midfielder – Rosicky or Ramsey? The Czech captain has been very consistent and influential compared to the Welsh captain but due to a lot of matches coming in the next few months, Arsene will probably field the young Welshman in this away game. Robin van Persie will ideally want a game off but such has been his form and presence on the field, it is almost impossible to start a game without the captain. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will, in all probability, start ahead of Arshavin, with Theo Walcott playing on the right-wing.
Possible Starting Line-Up [4-2-3-1]: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen; Song, Arteta; Ramsey, Oxlade, Theo; van persie
Key Match Facts
Only 2 of the 14 goals Sunderland have scored against Arsenal in the PL era has been netted in the first half. [via UK EuroSport]
Arsenal have won five of their last 22 away games in the league.
Robin van Persie has now scored 28 goals in all competitions this season.
Seb Larsson, who scored that goal at the Emirates this season, was six years with Arsenal.
TheHardTackle’s Player To Watch Out For
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Rising Star - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
.
Enough has been told and written about the young man from the famous Southampton academy, but the fact remains that Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player with his head on his shoulders, he hardly gets carried away by the occasion and has improved tremendously over the last few months. If Arsenal want to see some success this season, it is crucial that Alex comes to party and stays fit all the way to the end of the season.
TheHardTackle’s Prediction
Sunderland 1 – 2 Arsenal
Though Sunderland are in devastating form, Arsenal will scrap through a win with a late-goal at the Stadium of Light. Both teams will play each other onto the throats and it will be the defense which will be put into test. With Arsenal’s more experienced midfield and defense, it is expected that the away team will come home to full points, only just!
