Gunners Away – A Banana Skin to the Heel of Progress

Article by e-Sunderland Correspondent Ben Mummery

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Sitting in second with a very respectable 56 points, Arsenal have been a force to be reckoned with this season, and their home form has been equally as impressive. Following their 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool a fortnight ago, (we know all about THAT score line don’t we!) the Gooners exacted swift revenge over their Merseyside rivals this weekend by dumping them out of the FA Cup 5th round.

With a passing game as slick as the Emirates playing surface, Arsenal have looked a quick, dynamic, dangerous side, and have been scything down all comers to their home turf with fast-paced one touch football throughout their midfield. Their lack of depth up front could be one potential cause for concern, however with no injury worries to speak of, it’s likely that starting centre forward Olivier Giroud will take centre stage.

The question Sunderland have is how to approach this game. Following a poor display against Hull which saw Wes Brown banned, it only took a scrappy equaliser from West Brom against Chelsea to throw us back into the relegation mix. However, there is hope!

Sunderland’s away form has been excellent, and there are clear signs from recent fixtures and cup success, that Poyet’s team fear nobody. The passing fluidity, movement, and desire shown in the last few months has gone some distance to proving that Sunderland can play the style and level of football required to remaining in the premier league.

It’s likely that Poyet will play a 4-3-3 shape, with a holding centre pair of midfielders, likely Colback and Bridcutt, with Ki in a more free ranging role. Santiago Vergini will be recalled following a respectable display against Southampton in the FA cup, and with Wes Brown injured. Dossena will be replaced by the impressive Alonso at Left Back, and it’s likely that Altidore will get the nod ahead of Scocco, with Borini playing his usual inside left forward role, and Johnson on the right.

The key to stopping Arsenal has to be to limit the midfield’s time on the ball, which will be critical to cutting off their supply of chances for Giroud and their wide men. In a game where it’s likely there will be a physical battle (the gunners are not known for this, but they seem to like to dish it out a lot of late!), Colback, Ki, and Bridcutt will need to be at their tenacious best to cut off midfield runs off the ball, and prevent Arsenal from gaining forward momentum.

With the next league game postponed to accommodate the league cup final, Sunderland could potentially find themselves in an uncomfortable position should they fail to leave the Emirates without a point at least. A cup win on Saturday can hopefully provide some much needed momentum going into this fixture, and a performance in North London could prove to the Black Cats just what they’re capable of ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Wembley.

Key Battles vs. Arsenal

Ozil vs. Colback/Bridcutt

It’s likely that the German superstar will face us on Saturday, and that at least one of Poyet’s holding midfielders will be parked on him like dead-weight. Colback is more often than not given this role, as the tenacious little fella can be a headache over ninety minutes.

Cazorla vs. Colback/Bridcutt

Like Ozil, the little Spaniard is a lightning-fast attacking threat with the ball, and will be man marked throughout.

Wilshire vs. Colback/Bridcutt

………………there’s a pattern developing here, but most of Arsenal’s playmakers, and indeed their threat, come through center midfield!

Oxlade-Chamberlain vs. Bardsley

The vicious Salford-born fullback will have to be at his experienced best to contain a red hot “Ox”, who is in very eye-catching from at present.

Vergini vs. Giroud

With a yard more pace than work-horse John O’Shea, personally I’d have the Argentine on the lone striker. Giroud attacks the line hard, and can finish with the best of them. O’Shea must use his wealth of experience to track and read the Frenchman before he can cause real damage in front of goal.

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