Sunderland review: Ramsey the savior

Evening everyone.
Yesterday Arsenal has continued their streak of four wins and six straight away wins in the league by adding another success. This is also the first win over Sunderland since 2005-2006 in which we've finished the game leading by more goals than one. This fact, though, shouldn't fool you into thinking it was an easy game. Those of you, who've seen it, will agree that, had the cards fallen the other way, we could have easily lost that one. As it stands, however, we now sit top of the league.
The fans didn't have much to cheer about before kick-off. In addition to Mertesacker, who's gone down with a cold, we've lost Santi Cazorla to an ankle injury. It was later stated by the manager, that the Spaniard will be out until the next international break (which will take place at the beginning of October), meaning Santi will miss five more games. Not a pretty picture, given our dearth of options on the flanks, but there's not much we can do about it. Bottom line, Santi deserves this rest, even it comes at such a price. He's been omnipresent in our squad for forty straight league games and God knows how many cup games, friendlies, internationals and what-nots. The speediest of recoveries to him.
Cazorla`s (and Rosicky`s) absence made way for Ozil to start the game but no complaints here. The German international started under the striker, with Whilshere covering the left flank.
It took Ozil only ten minutes to adapt to English football. In the eleventh minute he laid the ball off for Giroud, after controlling a tricky high ball and the Frenchman slotted home with his left. Fourth league goal in just as many games.
Before that, Sunderland had a couple of chances, even hit the bar from a corner, but after the goal it was all Arsenal for the remainder of the half. Ozil was the creative hub, moving all over the pitch finding space and opening up for passes. He exploited Walcott`s pace time and again, cutting Sunderland`s defence open to create opportunities for Walcott to take advantage of. The Englishman`s finishing left a great deal to be desired, though (again). He spurned two chances by shooting straight at the keeper, before missing from a couple of yards with a headed effort. Because of this complacency we were only 1-0 up before half-time and it proved costly.
Sunderland players have apparently got a kick up the arse from Di Canio during the break and came back much more focused. This resulted in Koscielny`s foul in the box, following a corner and the ref pointed to the spot. Whether it was a dive, I cannot tell, but Koscielny really should have done better anyway. It was a stupid foul to commit and the resulting penalty was sent home as a harsh lesson.
Sunderland continued to pile on the pressure, but it was Arsenal, who scored, basically creating this goal out of nothing. Jenks sent the cross in from the right and Ramsey smashed the ball home on the volley. A brilliant finish from the Welshman, who clearly is in top form and is ripping all the benefits from it.
The home side didn't give in and created some moments of true danger, which saw them hit the post, and had two goals disallowed (the first was scored from an offside position, the second was preceded by a foul).
Their efforts were in vain, as it was Arsenal who put the finishing touches on. This time an Ozil pass found Giroud, whose sublime flick saw Ramsey get one-on-one with the keeper, and Aaron made no mistake.
The game was essentially over after that, those Sunderland probed till the final whistle for a second goal. The real moment of scare came when Giroud limped off in the dying minutes, nursing his knee, but he later said on Twitter, that he's all right.
This win catapults us to the top, and only Liverpool can overthrow us, should they take any points on Monday night. Our next game will be played on Wednesday in the Champions League. We'll have a chance to discuss our options as the week progresses.
Until later

Sunderland preview: back on track

Morning everyone.
Today football returns, as we travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland.
Last time we played them happened to be during that wonderful run-in, and saw us get three points. We went 1-0 up, lost a man to a red card and finished with our backs to the wall, Sagna filling in as an emergency centre-back and Ramsey covering the right-back position.
It was one of these games we won through sheer will and determination, cause we didn't have much of a team back then. Now we do, and should be able put the Black Cats on the defensive relatively easy. It won't a walk in the park by all means (remember the unacceptable quality of their pitch?), but we do have enough resources to win (even win comfortably). So fingers crossed, we'll have something to cheer about, come 8 p.m.
In terms of the team, the news is mixed. Rosicky and Sanogo are definitely out, there were also some troubling reports Mertesacker and Ozil will miss out through sickness, but these are just rumors, so I won't put much faith in them, till I see our team sheet.
The good news is, Vermaelen, Walcott and Whilshere are all fine and should make the squad, which gives us some breathing space. Defense is packed to the limit, so the manager will have a pleasant task picking his back four. Assuming, Mertesacker is fit, I suspect we'll see a Sagna-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs quartet, with Monreal, Jenks and Vermaelen all making the bench.
In midfield, the situation is close to breaking point, due to Arteta and Rosicky absences, but we are not just here yet. Should Ozil be all right, he'll start alongside Ramsey and Whilshere. Though I won't be surprised, if Flamini is played before the Englishman, seeing how Jack looks off the pace. We'll see.
In our attacking line things aren't going to change for a long time, so Giroud, Walcott and Cazorla remain or only viable options. It's easy to see, how another winger may have strengthened us, but there no point in moaning now. What we have, we hold and all that.
A surprise awaits us on the bench, though, cause TGSTEL himself will be there. He's fit and ready to play, and Wenger even said that, an in-form Bendther may still be of use to us. It should have been Higuain. Or Ba.
The squad we have is no doubt a strong one, it will be head-spinningly strong with Ozil in it, so I see no reason, why we shouldn't get all the the points. Come on you reds.
Not much going on, apart from that, so I'll leave it here. Back with a review either today or tomorrow.
Until then

Interlull over, now let's count our chickens

Morning everyone.
International break is now well and truly behind us and the next one is some time away. Good. We can focus on real football now.
As is always the case, some of our players didn't make it through unscathed. I guess, it's a price you have to pay, when your squad consists of world-class footballers, but every time every one of us hopes for the better. And every time we have to patch players up, following the international break. Oh well.
The most likely candidate to miss out on our clash with Sunderland is Rosicky. He limped off midway through the first half against someone, I couldn't care less for and appears to have injured his thigh. Thus, no game for the Czech on Saturday. We still await confirmation from the manager, but I won't hold my breath.
His injury creates a shortage in our already light midfield. Cazorla, given our dearth of options on the flanks, will most likely be deployed there, so all is set up for our golden boy to be handed a start. No complaints here.
Rosicky, however, wasn't the only knackered one during qualifiers. Zelalem and Sanogo seem injured too, which creates a bench-shortage problem. Though both are clearly not ready for regular first-team action, their best chance being a Carling Cup game against West Brom at the end of the month, they at least we're there. More or less capable to cope, should push come to shove. Now we should whip Bendther into shape. Quickly.
The other doubt is Walcott. He was also substituted in his respective qualifier, though his position is not necessarily troublesome. Theo is a doubt, but only because we don't know, where we are with him.
In light of all these events, our acquisition of Flamini and Ozil seem well timed. The former had even implied he's better, than he was five years ago, likening himself to wine. Good for him. Concerning the latter, well, we all know, how good he is.
In other news, some rumors persist about us chasing players, though the transfer window is shut for good. Honestly, the papers should find something else to ramble about, cause this looks laughable.
I haven't mentioned these transfer stories for nothing, though. Talk about Chiprian Marika looks plausible enough, taking into account, he's a free agent, and thus can be signed anytime. His agent has even put a date on a deal completion, something he's been doing for some time now. We shall wait and see, what happens. Bottom line, this guy is a striker, he's young and he's free. Good fit for Wenger.
Apart from that, not much going on. Back tomorrow when we start looking ahead to Sunderland game.
Until then

A signing?

Good day to you.
The biggest piece of news today revolves around Arsene Wenger and the matter of his contract.
ESPN reports talks between Arsenal FC and our manager are to be held, with a sum of £15 in the offing. In a nutshell, a two-year deal, worth £7.5 million per year is to be offered to our manager. Question is, does he deserve it?
There were a lot of fans, unhappy at how things progress, in the immediate aftermath of our opening-day defeat to Villa. Most of them wanted blood, demanding the manager's resignation (I was one of those). Arsenal Supporters Trust even released a statement, which viewed any talks of contract extension unacceptable, saying the manager has much to prove, before such talks are even taken into consideration. The only thing, that has kept the manager relatively safe (or, at least, immune to immediate sacking) was a run of four wins he (and the team) racked up, with a North London derby cherry on top. Then, the manager has brought Ozil in. And suddenly, his position is infinitely stronger. One signing, and we're ready to stick to Arsene for at least two more years.
And I think, it's a right thing to do. Yes, we've only brought in one player, who by no means can provide cover for all of the positions we need to strengthen number- and quality-wise. But it's not all about the player, rather about, what his acquisition means, what it symbolizes. Buying Ozil was a statement of intent in more ways than one.
Firstly, we showed, we're ready to fight for silverware. Because of how we've handled our business. Get rid of deadwood and acquire super-quality, Wenger was looking for. We showed, we're not some breeding ground, only producing quality players for sale. We kept the players, that will give it all in every game, and added to that mix. True, we're still a bit short number-wise, but the squad we have is as good as any.
Secondly, we showed, we can do business at top level, which was somewhat of a worry, prior to Ozil signing. We can handle the pressure, bide our time (you are shocked, I know) and bring in anyone we want. Because if we can cope with Real, we can cope with anyone. Dick Law isn't worthless, after all.
And finally, we can persuade players to join us, which is no mean feat. The missing ingredient may well be the manager, something I talked at length yesterday, but whatever it is, we are still a club everyone wants to play in. And all of this is encapsulated in just one signing.
So, by all means, we should keep Wenger. He's proven, he can operate in this new environment, proven, he can deal with this transfer market madness and come out victorious. So sign him. And give him some more money in January. So we can all see him lifting a couple of cups in May.
Until later

Drawing to a close

Good evening everyone.
A busy week that was and I'm glad it's over. Due to the new term kicking into high gear I wasn't able to write much and that's a problem I'll have to solve next week. Not quite sure how, but I will. So check back often.
Not a lot going on these last few days, truth be told. The Interlull is doing it's job perfectly once again, depriving us of club-related stuff we're so used to. I did spend quite some time, gloating at Man Utd failure during transfer window. A lot of people blamed Arsenal FC for not being able to bring players in (something we proved wrong, courtesy to our great late transfer), but look at our rivals.
They have brought a youngster for a laughable fee and Fellaini for a ridiculous price of £30 million. An old pal did his trusty manager a favour and switched places. I guess, it's not as bad, as it would have, should we be only capable to buy Flamini, but ultimately United's campaign is a failure. An utter disaster.