Sunderland Beat Arsenal – Unlucky Arsene

So there you have it. After being inundated with emails from Arsenal fans suggesting I was out of touch with reality…Sunderland have beaten Arsenal.

It was a closely fought contest and both teams created opportunities. It was a fairly even game throughout but when Bent scored with 19 minutes remaining, Sunderland had begun to up their game and they were rewarded for their efforts.

Malbranque went close a few times in the first half after Rosicky had a shot saved by Martin Fulop in the first 5 minutes.

Cana and Da Silva were the stand out players. Cana ran for every ball, harassed the Arsenal midfield and simply would not allow them to settle. He won ball after ball, broke down the play and was intent on casually passing the ball around the park. He really looked a class above the rest today. Paulo Da Silva was a real presence in defence, like Cana he looked like he had a lot of time on the ball. He won the majority of headers, brought a real hardness to our back four and his distribution was excellent.

Bent added to his goal tally after the ball cannoned back off Frazier Campbell from an Andy Reid corner. The ball rather fortunately fell right into Darren Bent’s path and he took his chance with a sliding shot which smashed the ball past the helpless Almunia and into the back of the net.

Arsenal woke up a little after that and created a few opportunities for themselves but they found it difficult to hold onto the ball. They protested for a penalty in injury time but they were desperate claims from a team and their supporters who were all but resigned to a defeat. Richardson had the best chance after Bent’s goal and it really should have been 2-0.

All in all, a fantastic result. I haven’t read Wenger’s comments yet but no doubt he’ll be full of moaning with zero praise. He usually lacks class when things don’t go his way.

Haway the lads!