Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal: 4 Things We Learned, The Hero & The Boo-Boy

Arsenal secured a hard fought 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Here, Gunner333 gives us 4 things we learned from the game as well as his hero and boo-boy from the match.

With the international break finally over, Arsenal returned to Premier League action against Sunderland with Gooners expecting a headline-act performance from record signing Mesut Ozil. Sunderland have performed poorly recently and Wenger’s side would go top with a win in the North-East.

The game started positively for the away side with Ozil kicking off his career with a neat assist to set up in-form Giroud. This sparked a flourish of Arsenal dominance from then on and we looked in total control at the break.

However, Sunderland grabbed a goal through a Gardner penalty in the second half, Koscielny bringing the midfielder down in the box. From then on the pendulum swung in the Black Cats’ favour and Steven Fletcher thought he had put the home side ahead, only to be denied by the off-side flag.

A moment of magic from Ramsey gave us the lead just passed the hour-mark, the Welshman unleashing a volleyed bullet from Jenkinson’s cross. Ramsey then got his brace with a calm and collected right foot finish. Full time and Arsenal go top on goal difference.

Here I analyse the good points and bad points from the game and highlight the best and worst of our crop from the match:

1. Playing More Direct

A criticism given out to the Gunners frequently is the habit of passing it around the middle of the park without forcing threats at the goal. This was not the case on Saturday though. We were far more direct and forceful in creating attacks, with Ozil in particular keen to find Walcott’s runs and we were playing off Giroud well.

2. Dependable Jenkinson

Playing for Charlton in League One just a few seasons back, Jenkinson has now developed into a player we can depend on when needed. With Per Mertesacker out, usual first choice right-back Bacary Sagna was forced to play in the centre of defence again with Jenkinson coming in on the right. The youngster is still raw but he’s a more than able deputy and has all the ability to become our regular first choice right-back.

3. More Composure Needed In Defence

We currently have conceded the most penalties in the league this season, 3 in just 4 games, and although this is partly down to some dubious decisions, we need to cut-out the needless challenges in the box. Koscielny has been the culprit on more than one occasion with the Frenchman diving in unnecessarily at times. We need to eradicate this from our game as we’re giving away too many cheap goals.

4. Ozil Looked Sharp

The German’s performance was inevitably going to make it on my list but the quality he showed really does highlight his enormous quality. His clinical runs and vision made it seem hard to visualise a victory without him. He seems the perfect footballer and will no-doubt repeat this quality throughout the season. The scary thing is I think there is far more to come from him.

Hero – Aaron Ramsey

His form has been so good of late that he is chosen as the ‘hero’ ahead of Ozil and Giroud. The Welshman put in another all-action display and capped it off with two more well taken goals. A repeat of this against Marseille is sorely required.

Boo-Boy – Theo Walcott

Usually an Arsenal hero and a personal favourite of mine, however Theo has struggled in the last few weeks and this was encapsulated in just 89 minutes of football on Saturday. He failed to finish off some good chances, including two one-on-one’s after being sent clear by Ozil, but you get the feeling he just needs a goal and the floodgates will open.

Thanks for reading! We are now temporarily – top, top, top of the league!!