An extremely hard-fought 1 - 0 win today at Sunderland. And a deserved win but yet again we didn't make it easy on ourselves. Karl Jenkinson's second yellow in the 62nd didn't help the grey hairs!
I'm starting to think Arsenal should be sponsored by 'Just For Men'.
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| Santi grabbed the winner in a much needed win. |
Where do we start? How about the first half...
We dominated the midfield from the first whistle. Absolutely owned it!
One of the strongest engine-room performances from Arsenal all season. Although it only lasted until Wilshire came off injured in the 50th minute. The injury didn't look too serious, it seemed more precautionary. Both he and Wenger locked eyes (Arsene's hawk-eyes to Jack's furrowed brow) and then cut his afternoon short without another word.
It's an obviously indication that our boy played way too many minutes in the last few days, the words 'burn-out' we're on everyones lips even before the lineup was announced.
But holy "whateverRobinfromBatmansays?" did Jack dominate the game up until then! He was out-playing his England performance by a mile, I think even Iniesta would have been doubled-over, shaking a disconcerted head at today's demonstration of ability.
His only fault was not actually taking the shots that were to then be squandered by his team mates.
He charged up the midfield with directive power and tore apart the defense with his pin-point, short one-two's and eye-of-a-needle precision.
And Cazorla's goal was orchestrated in that familiar fashion.
Jack's surging run was thread to Wilshire, who then laid-off the ball for Santi, without taking a touch he buried it hard and low from just outside the box and in to the bottom corner.
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| See the video below for the full action... |
The Pole between the poles saved the day late in the second, his two reaction saves in the 77th saved the day. Tipping Fletchers header over the bar from in the 77th and then a messy set piece turned into an absolute blinder caught everyone but him by surprise.
Theo Should have had a hat trick today, breezing a few inches wide of the far post and finally being denied by the woodwork on a day that just wasn't to be 'his'.
Giroud really should have had a few too but he seemed quite wasteful on the front foot today. His defending on the other hand was top notch, deep-clearing headers from our box really helped out fragile back line in the second half.
The final whistle couldn't have come sooner, and when it did it felt more like a stoppage time winner than, 'lets get the f*@k outta here!'
The camera stayed fixed on a crouched Santi Cazorla, gasping for breath as the seats cleared from the Stadium of Light.
Job well done.
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS:
Wojciech Szczesny - 7 - His second half was absolutely excellent, hardly troubled really, but when he was he delivered the goods. Saved us!
Per Mertesacker - 6 - Looked strong at the back, good in the air
Bacary Sagna - 7 - Played brilliantly today in the center, battled to the final whistle when we needed him most. Will be sad to loose him in the summer. If...
Nacho Monreal - 5.5 - Looked a little shakey in the first half, the grim-North may have bared a culture shock today.. Rose and Sessegnon left him looking sluggish at times but he found his game shortly before halftime.
Delivered some decent crosses and pushed forward when necessary. Hats off for the last twenty minutes.
Karl Jenkinson - 2 - Hate to say it but he was shite today. If we didn't need him as cover I would say loan him out for experience, his game definitely benefits from consistent play-time. Today he looked sluggish like he was prematurely back from injury. His second yellow wasn't malicious but it was sloppy and definitely deserved a card. A red though... Call me bias.
Aaron Ramsey - 2.5 - Awful as usual, gave the ball away more times than I can count, weak on the ball, dispossessed like a rookie. He gets a point for each shot he had (one was actually pretty good) and the half-point for turning up with a clean kit.
Jack Wilshire - 8.5 - Amazing 45 minutes from Jack. Looked leagues above the twenty players on the grass today. Joint man of the match with Cazorla.
Santi Cazorla - 8 - Played brilliantly with Wilshire and held his own throughout. Made a few mistakes but did very well with the goal. Squandered a few decent chances to close the game but worked tirelessly throughout.
Abu Diaby - 5 - Looked a little to tall at times, he kept loosing the ball in his feet shortly after he came on but redeemed himself later on. Gave a decent performance when we were defending at the end.
Theo Walcott - 6.5 - Should have had a hat-trick today. Looked pacey as always and got into decent scoring positions but kept glancing them wide. Hit the post and could have had a few assists if only Giroud had been on the mark
Olivier Giroud - 6. - He too could have had few today. Was very selfish in the dying minutes and got a bollocking from Wenger. Defended supremely when we needed him the most and looked strong on the ball, he just couldn't hit the target today. Put in 110% but definitely left his scoring boots in North London.
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