Arsenal v. Sunderland 0-0 21/Feb/08

Last match warming in the sideline.



Finally the much expected debut of Russian Andrey Arshavin arrived to the Grove, and in a rather murky fashion, when Arsenal left two points behind with a drawing goaless against the Black Cats. Certainly the lucky streak of the Gunners has showed some cracks, especially in Everton's game, but aside from that the immediate horizon suits to the European competition. Today as well, AS Roma one-nil aganist Siena in a strange but amusing match. In our continuous effort to bring you the latest football developments the spying business on the Capitaline side has ended and Tuesday's prospect is immediate. It is unlikely that Cesc can make an early return for the European home match but it could happen in two weeks time.

Obviously the amount of attention and expectation between the two sides has been overwhelming and such things happen when one side is "scared," to put it on simple terms. In a rather strange fashion, Arsene Wenger seems calmed enough with the tie against current Italian Cup holders. In my opinion, and even without key players like Cesc and Adebayor, I think Arsenal has the edge, but the current situation of the home club could not sound so satisfactory. In any case everything will be cleared next Tuesday.







And all the camera shots took over the Russian playmaker; a wide shot at 5' and a curled volley at 15'. The spark of Arshavin was impressive among the home fans when the game turned devious; Arsenal loosed possession too often and it appeared that the Londoners were unprecise at times. Several attempts comanded by Nasri led to nowhere, especially the one made by van Persie at 11'. With the minutes passing the pressure piled up for the Gunners and by the 30th minute Arsenal had produced a fair amount of chances that should have been in the back of the net. With Arsenal attacks, the Black Cats seemed hopeless but to hold the ferocious rampages of a team like Arsenal is something to respcet from the Northern tteam.







Arsenal attacks continued throughout the second half, more aggressive and in a way, more desperate. a free kick from the Dutchman van Persie and the substitution of an impressive Arshavin among the flaws of Vela and Gallas nearly in the end were the main highlights of a dismal and futile effort to contend against the limited Sunderland side. Bendtner shot and again Gallas wide attempts cemented the position of the long unbeaten run by the home side, the problem is that if this run is going to be full of draws, the aspirations for the Gunners are more than doomed.