[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet Photo Gallery]
After the controversial and infinite international break that completed the 32 guests for next year's World Cup, Arsenal visited the Black Cats to earn yet another loss. With key absences the Gunners managed to make an lacklustre display against a team that managed to keep United at bay, and well, we all know what happened with that beach ball.
The recent setback reinforces the idea that the injuries are what is keeping this team from closing the gap on teams like Chelsea and Man Utd in England and Madrid and Barcelona abroad.
It is rather obvious that the different misjudgments among the media - that the season is over for Wenger's men - are no more than biased rubbish. Indeed it is a blow for the Londoners but the season is just coming to the interesting part, in which a mistake against a top team, such as Chelsea next week, will have strong conclusions in the immediate future. The only thing that is left for the Gunners is reassuring confidence for the Sunday clash against Chelsea.
The other point that sparkled the fury of the supporters - and at the club in all its quarters - was the injury of Arsenal's marksman Robin van Persie. While the international matches that are mandatory are difficult to avoid, the fact that the match in which he sprained his ankle to the extent of rupture, was worth less than a penny, remains inexcusable. With both teams qualified, the Dutch manager should have known better and instead of risking a top class player, and probably his best striker option, a strong test for a youngster from the local league could have provided something more to his insight instead of proving what is already there. His absence could be between the sights of four to six months, as the earliest. Initial reports are dubious with this type of injuries and more information should be provided when an accurate prognosis should appear.
[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet Photo Gallery]
The surprise for the visitors was the inclusion of Armand Traore in the team. The fact that the young French is ahead of Mikaël Silvestre in the contention for full-backs is a relief to all of us who enjoy football, let alone the Gunners' game. As for the game, there was not a particular difference with the other visiting matches that the London team has encountered: tough opposition in the first twenty five minutes that dilutes after an organised defence.
This was essentially what happened at the Stadium of Light. It was not until the 27th minute that the Gunners began to equip themselves with courage to withstand the stout efforts of the Black Cats. The proof of this was a "Play Station" play created by Song, which finished in a futile effort by Eduardo to hit the ball. A shot by Ramsey and the fear of a recurrent injury on Nasri were among the main concerns in the first half.
[Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images through Guardian]
Aside from the hideous comments that Gustavo Cima made about Henry ("a brilliant handball!") the second half began quite equal, with both teams making no difference at all against each other. It was not until the entrance of Andrey Arshavin, in the 60th minute, that the Gunners' game began working. Both Rosicky and Nasri displayed, what I think, was the worst game this season so far.
Plays came from both full-back sides, and no one proved to be effective enough. The home lead came by Darren Bent, after a strange bizarre defending in which, apparently all the visiting team was looking at the ball, took advantage of the header to score with his right foot. Then on the Gunners could not make a difference with possession. Arshavin tried, through a Song pass, as well as incredible amounts of crosses and shots: Vermaelen's volley, Vela cross and Walcott enormously wasted line touch. The match ended, with a discouraging score sheet, which could have been doubled.
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