Every season has a defining moment. One that either spurs you on to achieve something. Or one that destroys you, leaving you with nothing. Over the past few years, we’ve had too many of the latter, from moments such as injuries, throwing leads away, or losing games we should have won.
Today, we beat a resurgent Sunderland side, who have turned their season around having been early relegation candidates, yet now find themselves chasing a Europa League spot. And who knows, the manner of our victory today could be the defining moment of this season. That might actually lead us to winning a trophy. But more of that kind of ambitious talk later…
The first half at the Stadium of Light was tight, with neither side really having any clear-cut chances. Sunderland set up defensively, playing a 4-5-1 formation, and proved very difficult to break down from the off.
We were most creative down the right hand side, with Theo Walcott having two half chances; one cross-come-shot dragged wide of the far post, and another shot skied high into the stand. Mikel Arteta hit a free kick from a decent position into the Sunderland wall just before half time, and other than that there was very little to talk about in terms of first half chances.
Both sides had penalty shouts rejected too. Robin van Persie appeared to be brought down inside the Sunderland area, and Per Mertesacker handled the ball inside ours too, although it was more of a case of ball to hand than anything deliberate. Neither really had much substance, and the correct decisions were made to not give them.
Sunderland offered very little going forward in the first half, and seemed happier to sit back, defend and try and counter attack where possible.
The second half started much more upbeat, with Arsenal having a good spell of early pressure, mainly down the right hand side. We kept possession well, and although Sunderland were again on the back foot, they looked comfortable enough with what we had to throw at them.
Sunderland then had a good spell of pressure themselves, which resulted in two very good stops from Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. Both were strikes from Craig Gardner from outside the area; the first a low one to the keeper’s left, which was pushed away well considering how late Szczesny must have seen it. And the second, a few minutes later, was a similar chance but this time to the other side of the goal. Although Szczesny fumbled this one initially, he managed to get the ball away.
The game then fell flat again, and Thierry Henry was introduced for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who failed to make the impact he had in recent weeks. But in the 70th minute, Sunderland scored.
Per Mertesacker had looked rather shaky for most the game, and under no pressure at all on the ball he fell to the floor in pain, allowing James McLean through who drilled the ball home past a helpless Szczesny.
It was undeserved for Arsenal, who had looked very comfortable at the back. Mertesacker consequently was substituted off for Aaron Ramsey, with Alex Song dropping back into defence. And it didn’t take long for the Welshman to make his mark, and draw us level.
When Mikel Arteta had a shot blocked on the edge of the area, the ball fell to Ramsey, who’s shot hit the left post, the right, then bounced in. It was an excellent finish, especially as the ball bobbled up when he hit it. Arsenal deservedly level, and had 15 minutes to go and grab a winner.
With four minutes to go, and the game heading for a draw, Andrei Arshavin came on for Walcott, as Arsenal looked to push for a winner. RVP met an Arshavin cross from the left, but the Dutchman’s header went straight into keeper Simon Mignolet’s hands.
There was still time for one final chance, with four minutes of added time to play. And one chance was all we needed.
Arshavin impressed after coming on, and crossed again from the left, for Thierry Henry to prod home from 6 yards out, in his final ever Premier League game for the club. 2-1 Arsenal, and goal number 229 for the club’s greatest ever player.
We held on for the final couple of minutes of injury time without scare, and it was three very deserved points to add to the tally.
ANALYSIS
If truth be told, I was expecting us to draw today. Before kick off, at half time, even once we conceded, I had a feeling the spoils would be shared.
As I said earlier, Sunderland are very well organised under Martin O’Neill, and they seemed to have an answer for everything we offered. And despite dominating possession, it was another one of those games of fearing that our lack of end product would be what cost us. Sunderland were very defensive, happy to sit back in numbers, and rely on their counter attack.
But we have to credit our players, and manager, for their strength of mind and getting the job done in the end.
We didn’t deserve to go behind. Mertesacker went down injured, and Sunderland took advantage. It’s in the rules, it’s fair, and it was unfortunate. The pitch was terrible, so whether that had an impact on Per going down I don’t know. But I hope his injury isn’t too serious, and I’m sure those in Germany will share our angst too, as they will obviously want him fit ahead of Euro 2012 this summer.
After getting it wrong against Manchester United a few weeks ago, Arsene Wenger must be congratulated for getting his substitutions spot on today. All three of them had a huge impact on the result, with Ramsey scoring our equaliser, and Arshavin and Henry combining for the winner.
Some things are just meant to be, and given this was Henry’s last ever Premier League appearance, it was the icing on the cake that he would score. It’s a shame we won’t see him play at the Emirates again (competitively), but he has one final chance to leave his mark at Arsenal Football Club, and I’m sure he will give everything on Wednesday when we face AC Milan in the Champions League.
Other notable mentions today must go to Tomas Rosicky, who again led by example in midfield, and Laurent Koscielny, who just goes from strength to strength at the back. Arteta’s passing game was also top notch, and it was great to see Bacary Sagna start at right back after his spell out.
Today we showed real fighting spirit, and a never say die attitude that will be required greatly in the next three months. We’re still chasing two pieces of silverware, and we play in both the Champions League and FA Cup in the next week.
I have no doubt that all the squad will be buzzing after the win today, and it’s important we don’t get caught up in celebrating the win, but carry on the momentum and focus into Wednesday’s trip to Milan.
We say our second (and final) goodbye to our Prodigal Son in that match, and it’s impossible to think that Henry might exit for good on a defeat. It’s sure to be a fantastic tie, and with Kieran Gibbs back to fitness and on the bench today, we might even see the Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen partnership at centre back we’ve all been craving for.
Then it’s back to the Stadium of Light next weekend for the FA Cup. We can probably expect a slightly weaker side to be fielded then, before two big League games against Sp*rs and Liverpool, and the home Champions League tie against Milan.
It’s more likely that the next four fixtures will have a bigger impact on our season than today. But if in three and a half weeks time we’re sitting here talking about a run of unbeaten games, a Champions League and FA Cup quarterfinal, then a look back to today, and the last minute winner from King Henry might just be identified as the moment that kick started that run. But football is all about results, and it could turn sour and this will all count for nothing should we lose to Milan, get beaten by Sunderland next weekend, and drop points against Sp*rs and Liverpool. But I know that Wenger and the players will do everything to ensure that this just doesn’t come close to happening.
Here’s hoping. Here’s believing. There’s only one way for Arsenal Football Club, and that’s Forward.
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