I like our defence so far. Aside from Nacho getting caught out early on (which he soon sorted out), they've looked very solid. Sagna and Mertesacker could be an unlikely pairing in the making.
Good first half. They haven't really looked like they are going to create anything going forward, just the odd long ball for fletcher. Sagna is playing solid as a CB - infact our back-line have looked good so far. Monreal got done once and Jenkinson got done once, but otherwise nothing has got through. Oh and going forward, Monreal has worked well with Giroud and Cazorla, very spanish in style. Our midfield are working hard. Ramsey and Wilshere are really battling, going for every ball etc. Cazorla has kept things moving nicely, but has left running at the defense to Wilshere, very well taken goal however. Arteta has been tidy. Walcott has had some good chances and looks very dangerous. Giroud has been involved in most of our attempts at goal. Overall i'm very happy with the team but would have liked to bury another chance. Clean sheet and a goal by half-time is fine for me
There is going to a bad injury in this game if the referee does not stop Catemole. Arsenal play well in the first half. They could win by a lot of goals today as Sunderland get tired.
Very happy to see us closing down and pressing too, we've been first to the ball on plenty of occasions and it's given us the edge
Yeah the ref needs to tighten things up to give the players a bit more protection. Wilshere and Ramsey getting there legs kicked constantly and overall there have been some very late challenges. The most amazing thing is that Arsenal have (according to the ref!) commited more fouls!
My favourite contribution from Giroud was just before half time he ran into Catermole and I noticed he kneed him on the inside of the knee bending it out and Catermole limped away. I dont like to knock our own players but I think Giroud has been a bit slow and we could have had more if he had not slowed things down so much. Hes just not quite good enough imo, but other than that its been a great overall performance P.S. I'm working on the sods law principle that Giroud will prove me wrong as he has done a couple of times recently, but Im not really expecting it.
Giroud, Ramsey and Walcott could each have added 1-2 goals. I think Sudnerland are lucky to only be one down. We need to come out strong in the second half and get another goal to secure the game.
I hope those missed chances don't come back and bite us in the ass. We had an excellent first half were we never looked threatened, and did all the threatening. But this is the EPL, anything can happen, even when you look like you're under full control and beating the sh!t out of your opponent like it's a boxing fight and he's wobbly, only for him to land a punch back right at you out of no where and staggering you!
Microwave pizza cooked, chips in the oven, spliff rolled up, beer chilling - bring on the second half! Come on Arsenal, make my hangover recovery nice and smooth please with a win!
cattermole's been subbed. very good thing in that he won't be able to injure anyone, but larsons come on, so we need to watch out with giving away free kicks.
mistake bringing diaby on for jack. would've preferred a winger so cazorla could take over in the middle attacking role.
