Mikel Arteta’s questionable resolution virtually prices Arsenal throughout gritty Sunderland win
Arsenal’s perfect start to the season continued at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening – but the 2-0 win doesn’t tell the whole story
Arsenal needed to dig deep on Saturday evening(Image: Getty Images)
It’s a cliche, that’s what champions do, but that’s exactly what Arsenal did on a Saturday evening that could have very easily slipped away from the Gunners.
Arsenal, from the opening minute, had their backs against the wall. The Stadium of Light is by no means an easy trip, and Mikel Arteta and his side had to dig their heels in against a buoyant crowd.
The Black Cats, for large periods of the game, had looked the more likely team to score as Arsenal seemingly played to their strengths with Arteta and his side turning it into a physical battle across the park.
Arsenal knew they had been in a fight(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)
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And for once, the Gunners were physically outmatched across the pitch as they struggled to deal with Sunderland and, in particular, Brian Brobbey. The Dutch striker was holding the ball-up and drawing both Ezri Konsa and Gabriel, allowing room for his wingers.
Set pieces were starting to resemble the Royal Rumble as referee John Brooks appeared increasingly tired of Gabriel’s Hollywood auditions, repeatedly waving the Brazilian back to his feet after he hit the deck following the slightest touch.
Arsenal responded by upping the physicality, but Konsa crossed the line when he wrapped his arms around Dan Ballard and dragged him to the ground.
It was a physical match(Image: Getty Images)
David Raya, however, proved why he is the best goalkeeper in the world as he pushed Enzo Le Fee’s spot-kick off the post and away from danger.
Two minutes later, the Gunners were ahead as former Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes silenced the Stadium of Light. But Sunderland refused to back down.
As they pushed for an equaliser, Arsenal were forced to slow the game down and manage the contest. The Gunners could even have found a second, only for an incredible goal line clearance from Ballard to deny them.
Dan Ballard won the penalty for Sunderland(Image: Alamy Live News.)
When the ball then fell to Riccardo Calafiori, the Arsenal defender opted to appeal for a handball rather than simply trying to smash it into the net. It was the kind of moment that could have come back to haunt Arsenal – looking towards the referee instead of throwing everything at a second goal.
On Saturday, however, it didn’t. Arsenal needed to dig deep and find something they rarely had to find last season. They needed to fight fire with fire. The Gunners did get their second, when Bukayo Saka found the net from the spot in added time.
This was not Arsenal at their swashbuckling best. It was Arsenal finding a different way to win – grinding out a result when the game threatened to turn against them.
That is what champions do. Arteta’s side are back on their perch, and now all eyes will turn to Sunday’s Manchester derby to see whether Manchester City can hit back.
