Arsenal 4 - 1 Sunderland: Nice and easy

A game with no worries is a rare thing in football, especially for Arsenal, but today the opposition decided not to turn up for half the game and the game was as good as over by half-time. Practically the only thing we had to worry about today were injuries.

It was ideal, though. After a difficult game against Bayern that ended up being such a disappointment, a game in which we could rotate some players and still win comfortably was preferable to the long hard slog that some of our games have been this season. Sunderland were a vastly improved side, but it seemed pretty clear that they had their minds else where, and whatever plan Poyet had of using this game as a rehearsal for the cup final back fired.

There's no an awful lot to talk about, really. The opening goal was well-worked; a result of Sunderland allowing us to have close to 80% possession in the opening exchanges and not defending well at all. The second was a gift, forced by Arsenal pressing high, blocking off their passing options and forcing a risky pass across goal that Giroud intercepted and put into the back of the net. The third was just amazing and quite possibly up there with Wilshere's goal against Norwich earlier in the season. The fourth was a routine set-piece goal.

I'm sure we would have loved to go on and rack up a big scoreline, but the Arsenal side were more concerned about not over-exerting themselves in the second half which, after so many intense games, was probably the smart thing to do. Sunderland improved and had some decent moments in the second half against our make-shift backline, and scored a very good goal which is annoying but nothing damaging.

And that's it for the game. Those two goals and assist for Giroud will have done wonders for his confidence, and it's always nice to see Rosicky score. Wilshere had a classy game in midfield, too, and Szczesny pulled off another top save in the second half. It sucks that Chelsea won earlier, so we're still second, but we're hardly heading towards crisis territory like some would have you think.

Now we get a week to rest up and prepare for an inevitably tough game at Stoke.

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Very good win, annoyed that we conceded the goal and some knocks but Koscielny and Wilshere should be fine I hope.

Hard to choose a MOTM really, Giroud, Wilshere, Rosicky, Cazorla had a great and so did the guys at the back. Probably Giroud for scoring two and his assist.

We have Stoke City next, and that should be far more uncomfortable but we'll have a good week's rest and should be up for it, surely.

Motm was Giroud. Made runs like a real striker today. Took his chances and sealed the game early.

A nod to Wilshere for being brilliant.. his through balls today   

Rosicky's goals are always the best. The way he runs as he waves his arms back and forth with the sleeves of his jersey flapping in the wind is a thing of beauty

Very happy for Giroud, shows Wenger knows his stuff when benching certain players. He got two good showings out of Sanogo which gave Giroud a deserved kick in the arse so he'd up his game and he responded brilliantly.

Thought Arteta has a superb game along with Rosicky and Wilshere.

We were pretty poor at the back after Koscielny went off, we let them in a number of times and it shows how integral Kos is. Wenger said he's alright though.

This was all pretty much the Bergkamp effect.

Jack and Rosicky were very good today, good to see Giroud with the brace. We need him to go on a wee scoring run for us.

Hope Koscielny and Monreal are both ok, we can't afford anymore defensive injuries at the moment. We don't score too many, our success this season has been built on a good defense so we need all our defenders fit and in good form.

Probably the easiest game we have played all season. Sunderland only have eyes on the COC atm and hence they weren't really focused on this game.

We were really good.

Giroud needed those goals. Wilshere was phenomenal. Cazorla and Rosicky too.

Death run starts now

at least it looked perfect time to play them

All Hail Bac playing anywhere across the back

2nd half was always going to look like that with fatigue

Glad players get a week rest
this was 5th goal we have conceded from the outside of the box in the league
need to prevent them

was disappointed with Girouds being unprofessional
but good to see him having efficient game and relieved a bit

and good to see variety of Goals overall
a perfect Arsenal Goal
+ forcing an error
+ set piece

watch them Name that Kasami's fluke vs palace as Goal of the season

Great win, really needed a easy one after all the hard games we had.
Giroud needed those goals so bad, I hope he keeps proving me wrong and scores more goals.

Was at the game with a few friends. A fantastic display overall, particularly in the first half.

Important that Giroud bounced back quickly with 2 goals and a fine assist. Wenger got the XI spot on. Disappointed that Koscielny & Monreal went off but Wenger says they should be fine.

Koscielny & Arteta deserve a lot of credit - they were excellent.

We just need to take each game as it comes - as the Cliche goes - and focus on Stoke (a) next week.

Why didn't Ozil play?

free_cat wrote:Why didn't Ozil play?

He was injured.