OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Hyvää huomenta Positivistas,
I admit I anticipated problems this morning in producing anything vaguely readable or fresh about yesterday’s game. Different competion to the 4th December but same score, same result, almost the same players, same one-eyed nonsense from Sam Allardyce about how his side deserved “more” from the game, same weather, same bloody goal-scorers for Gawd’s sake….Ok Ok, Lee Cattermole was not booked but could I weave 600 words from such a handful of limp straw ? …………… What is an artist to do ??!
Well like all the truly greats when faced with a blank canvas I go out and steal.
And my choice of burglary victim was “A Love Supreme” the biggest and, it seemed to me, the most sophisticated of Sunlun fan sites. Those Mackems and their match report did not disappoint;
“Sunderland lost 3-1 away to Arsenal in a game where we were undone by a side with far more quality in their ranks. An early goal from Jermain Lens gave the travelling fans hope, but three great goals from Arsenal saw us eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle.”
“Sam Allardyce had explicitly stated he would name a team of youngsters down at Arsenal, partly down to our league position, but also down to the horrendous fixture congestion which we’d been conned into, having to play three games just days apart. Whether he had a change of heart, or it was just mind games, that wasn’t how the starting XI ended up, at all.”
I could not have put it better myself, saved all that tedious crowing about us being clearly the better side. (Using a word like “explicitly” about Fat Sam’s pronouncements is also ‘cutting edge’ in my view). Describing the second half they went on to say;
“Their passing was very impressive, and the pace in which they played seemed too sophisticated for us.”
“It was almost deja vu the way Arsenal worked their way in for the second goal — passing, moving, and scoring goals is obviously something they’re proficient in, unfortunately we wouldn’t know anything about that, ourselves”
And for all our readers interested in the topic of refereeing A Love Supreme’s commentator added this pithy observation;
“Arsenal should have scored again after Giroud was played through on goal. He was brought down by Deandre Yedlin, who just full-on charged into him. It was a definite penalty, but the ref wasn’t having it. Hilarious. Not very often those decisions go our way, and what a waste of a time to cash that in. The game is already gone!”
Such painfully honest writing deserves to be read in its whole excruciating sequence of revelation and self torture. It is the sheer truthfulness that gets me. (I’m welling up here) I attach a link at the bottom of the page.
As I say I think they have it spot on. We were far superior from minute one to minute ninety three. We found it difficult to score a second and really get a solid grip on the game but the introduction of Aaron and Mikel raised the pace of our attacking game in the final third and the quality of our passing just above the level that Sunlun could cope with. The outcome after that was pretty much inevitable.
Pats on the back for Joel and young Alex Iwobi, the Ox was much livelier and even Theo was much more involved. Chambers is growing into his job in midfield, bit erratic but loads of energy. And don’t forget Cech. What saves Petr had to make where performed in a manner that made the difficult look common-place, a trait of all great keepers.
If I was looking for areas of improvement I thought we looked a little edgy in the centre of defence to the high ball and Fetcher caused us a few problems. I expect Per will be back for Anfield as instead of the ageing Fletcher it will be Benteke swooping through the air six yards out.
Enjoy your Sunday and roll on Wednesday.
http://www.a-love-supreme.com/Match%20Reports/matcharsenalawaycup.htm
Positively Arsenal 
The fact that the likes of Jack and Danny are great players and can be used, does not change the idea that that is what they are,
I dont see why we should shy from saying who is clearly first choice.
Coq is ahead of Mikel now. Thats that. Jack does not get in before any of the players I mentioned, He may get in instead of them because we are rotation . But if all were fit I ca’t see any possibility of those 10 not playing in say the CL final. The reason being, they are first choice.
LikeLike
Jack and Danny hooo hoo hoo
LikeLike
surely a completely 100% fit, 100% form, no suspention 11 is fictional, so i’m afraid your debate is a reserve at best. Trying to second guess Arsene should also be discourged by the sane.
It was however interesting none the less and the many mentions of Jack and Danny made me laugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The good news is we still have to play Sunderland again, although when it will be is not to say. It’s scheduled for 23/4 but we’ll be playing an FA Cup semi-final that weekend so it will have to be moved. Whenever it’s played, I wonder if Sam will still be chewing gum at the side of the pitch.
LikeLike
my certain 4 on the team sheet are Cech, Ozil, Coq, and Kosc – I am toying with Aaron but he is not nailed on, same with Hector.
LikeLike
And why are they called the Black Cats when they play in red & white?
LikeLike
Mists of time Dk but when they moved stadium the supporters chose it
LikeLike
I suppose playing in red and white “The Gingers ” might have been an option ?
LikeLike
Afternoon/evening folks. Sorry to have been AWOL yesterday – had guests in the house this weekend. A lovely piece from Stew yesterday to warm up for the game, and an equally great review today from A5. Thanks as always to you both.
I was amazed at the energy injected into the game when Aaron and Mikel came on. It was like flipping a switch. I know the world favors the Cazorla/Coquelin partnership (I love them, too), but I so hope we can find a new Arteta to partner Aaron and let him do his Aaron thing. He injects so much energy into our attack. Clearly AW agrees, as he finds a place for him. But he’s coming into his prime years, and Father Time marches on like it or not. He won’t be able to make those lung busting runs forever. Shame not to be able to take full advantage of him when he’s at his peak.
Replay between Spuds and Leicester, with lots of energy expended on both sides. Just what the doctor ordered. More of the same on Wednesday, please.
LikeLiked by 3 people
http://www.blackcats.org.uk/cat-history.html
Great write up Mr.A5,many thanks as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having watched the full match on Arsenal Player I feel I want these Wenger years to go on forever. Alex Iwobi and Jeff Rein-Adelaide a joy to watch. Joel Campbell received a most deserved standing ovation. I was wrong about him. He now feels part of the team and thus he delivers. His return pass to Hector for Ramsey’s goal was exquisite.
I’m a happy puppy….
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thanks for that, Mills. Very amusing – the answer to my question no doubt being “your guess is as good as mine.”
LikeLike
dk-yes, the mystery of the black cat!
LikeLike
Iwobi intvw:
LikeLike
Lee DixonVerified account
@LeeDixon2
@wakeham_callum you didnt miss much fella. Just put my hand up in the air with another 3 guys then gave the ball to DB10. Easy
LikeLike
apart from cech, aaron is the next name on the team sheet. the position he plays may be up for debate but his place in the team is not. per to me is the most important at the back. plays well with any of the other three ( kos, gab and callum ). but you cant say the same about the others. presently the only area arsene cant really rotate is the right back. i think that also makes bellerin a nailed on in the team sheet. though personally i think we have about four player who can do job in that position. debuchy, callum, coq and flamini.
LikeLike
RIP Davy Jones and the lower third.
LikeLike