Back to their best

Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland

Arsenal produced the perfect response to their disappointing midweek defeat against Bayern Munich, with an excellent display at home to Sunderland on Saturday.

The Gunners have not been at their sumptuous best of late and have struggled to get their free flowing game going during recent games. On Saturday however, in echoes of their form earlier in the season, Arsene Wenger’s side were excellent from the very first minute. The midfield in particular were a joy to behold, asserting their authority with neat one touch passes coupled with brilliant movement to cut through Sunderland, causing the visitors numerous problems.

Having played for almost an hour with ten men against Bayern Munich, Wenger had to make changes to his starting line up in order to refresh the team. Arteta came in for Flamini at the base of the midfield and looked back to his best, enabling the seamless transition between defence and attack, while Rosicky replaced Ozil to great effect as the Czech international was constantly involved in the build up to Arsenal’s attacking play. Up front, Giroud returned to the starting line-up following two games out in which Yaya Sanogo impressively deputised for him.

The former Montpellier man seemed to have benefited greatly from this rest and appeared to be a man on a mission as he sought to demonstrate his importance to the team. In recent weeks Giroud has appeared tired and his effectiveness as the lone man up front had diminished, making it easier for teams to defend against the Gunners. However his display on Saturday indicated that he has rediscovered his verve as well as his finishing ability as he was full of running, constantly hassling the Sunderland defence and back to his influential best as a target man. Giroud’s contribution to the team’s victory was clear for all to see as he ended the first half with two goals to his name and a glorious assist.

His first of the afternoon came within the opening 5 minutes of the match and set the tone for a comfortable day at the office. It was an excellent team goal resulting from brilliant interplay amongst the Arsenal midfield with Wilshere, Podolski and Rosicky all playing neat passes to one another before Rosicky’s first time flick found Wilshere in the box. With the Englishman set to shoot on goal, Phil Bardsley’s interception fell straight to Giroud who calmly steered the ball past former Gunner Vito Mannone to give the Gunners the lead. It was vital for Arsenal to begin the game well and press home their advantage as this enabled them to relax slightly and play their own game with supreme confidence.

Shortly after the opening goal, Mannone did well to parry a vicious effort by Podolski from long range, but could do absolutely nothing to prevent Arsenal’s second in the 32^nd minute. As Sunderland attempted to play the ball out from the back, defender Vergini’s attempted back pass was horrendously under hit and Giroud showed great anticipation to nip in and send a first time shot under Mannone and inside the near post from a relatively acute angle. It was an excellent finish which owed much to quick thinking and indicated a refreshed mentality that should stand in him in good stead for the season run in.

With Arsenal already two goals up and playing wonderful football, the Gunners could have easily become complacent but actually showed a hunger and desire to seal all three points before the end of the first half. Two minutes before the half time whistle, the home side did just that with a move which had Arsenal written all over it. It was a move in which sumptuous first time passing and movement mesmerised the Emirates crowd and Sunderland players alike. Rosicky started and ended the move, as he played a neat one two with Wilshere, before repeating the trick with Giroud, picking up the Frenchman’s delicate flick inside the area and clipping the ball over the advancing Mannone to score a goal which brought a smile to the face of every football fan.

Clearly stung by their first half capitulation, Sunderland started the second period with a point to prove and almost reduced the deficit with a fine strike from Borini which could have caught Szczesny off guard. Fortunately for the Gunners, the goalkeeper was alert and managed to turn the shot away with an excellent reaction save. However as the game approached the hour mark, Laurent Koscielny put any hopes of a Sunderland recovery beyond any doubt as headed home the excellent Santi Cazorla’s corner, for his first of the season and Arsenal’s fourth of a very comfortable afternoon.

Arsenal could and should have had a fifth too, as Jack Wilshere played a lovely through ball into the path of Serge Gnabry, but the substitute’s touch let him down, narrowing the angle and he could only shoot straight at Mannone. Although the Gunners would not score again, Sunderland did manage an excellent consolation goal through Giacheerini, whose effort from just outside the box flew into the bottom corner of the goal.

Arsene Wenger’s side were truly excellent on Saturday and should take great heart from their display. In recent weeks the Gunners appeared to be struggling to regain the form which had seen them sat at the top of the Premier League table for the majority of the season. The critics were out in force, declaring that Arsenal were simply crumbling under the weight of expectation once again. Yet with the midfield department back on song and dominating the opposition, the Gunners can once again look forward to the season run in. The squad now have a much needed week long break before their next game and having rested several players on Saturday, all should be refreshed for the tough away game to Mark Hughes’ Stoke City. Each game is crucial now as Arsenal look to once again build up momentum at this vital stage of the season.