Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal: Five talking points

Sunderland hosted the Gunners at Stadium of Light for a game billed to be high intensity, and a crucial milestone in Arsenal’s history as their most expensive player was set to take the field against a formidable team Arsenal have found tough to break in recent times.

The match lived up to all its expectations with Ozil delivering a great performance, Sunderland fighting back in a post lunch revival and Arsenal finally emerging out as the winners.

1) Mesut Ozil will drive this Arsenal team –

Mesut Oezil of Arsenal during the match at Stadium of Light on September 14, 2013 in Sunderland, England – The German took just 11 minutes to show his class in the game

It is always a matter of interest to see how long a foreign player takes to settle down in EPL. Ozil took all but 11 minutes to announce his arrival on the English scene, beautifully controlling the ball in a first touch and then sliding it down very smoothly towards the onward rushing Giroud.

Ozil looked so comfortable with the ball, and when passing it around to his new teammates. It felt as if he has been playing for Arsenal for years. Ozil’s stepping up for corners and free kicks ahead of the regular Theo Walcott showcased the immense confidence Ozil has in his abilities.

It’s a clear indication of things to come for Arsenal this season – Ozil created 58 successful passes in Sunderland’s half – more than any player in a single EPL game this season.

2) Olivier Giroud can score outside London too –

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring Arsenal’s first goal during the EPL match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light – Set up by Ozil, Giroud scored his first EPL goal outside London

The French hitman has been in tremendous form from the beginning of this season. Some of his finishes this season have been very good to say the least, a key area for which he had been criticized many a times last season.

Not only was Giroud’s goal yesterday another exquisite finish, it also was unique given the fact it was the Frenchman’s first ever EPL goal outside London. That’s right, all of his previous 14 goals came in London, whether at home or on the road.

The goal also helped calm some nerves among Arsenal fans, by putting forward a positive response to questions raised if Giroud would be the right man to complement Ozil’s presence in the team.

It might be too early to jump onto conclusions, but at least it’s one step in the direction of the belief that yes, Giroud can convert the deliveries of Ozil. (A notion for which Walcott will come under fire after missing out on a chance to score a first half hat-trick).

3) Rambo is on a killing spree –

Aaron Ramsey celebrates his second goal during the match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light – The Arsenal midfielder has brought about a remarkable transformation in his game

Well, not literally. Aaron Ramsey has been scoring in almost every match of late, for people to keep a track of celebrities dropping dead after he scores.

Ramsey has completely transformed himself from being a disappointment and a scapegoat for venting out frustration in the last season to a club hero now. Ramsey has become the kingpin of Arsenal midfield and has finally started to show his true potential for which Fabregas himself hailed Ramsey as his successor.

Playing much more in his favoured positions now, Ramsey contributed to both aspects of the game, attack and defence. His work rate is of the highest order, and his eye for the goal seems to be growing sharper game after game. He seems to be popping up at the right places at the right time. He is definitely a threat to look out for, moving forward in the season.

4) Beat Laurent Koscielny, get a penalty –

Laurent Koscielny (L) vies with Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher (R) during the match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light

Laurent Koscielny is a great interceptor of ball and a solid presence in the Arsenal defence, but only till the time he can see the opposition forward approaching him.

Koscielny really hates to be outrun. If Koscielny is chasing the ball, or if the forward has just beaten him and run forward, it becomes a matter of concern.

Not because the opposition player is now charging towards the goal, but more so because there is a sinking feeling that Koscielny is going to slide in and bring him down in the box.

Not to dismiss the fact, that last ditch defending is one of the greatest assets of the best of the defenders, but in the context of Koscielny, his attempts of that last ditch tackle prove more costly to Arsenal than beneficial in most cases.

2 penalties and a red card in 3 EPL games so far should be enough to drive home the point. The tackle to bring down Adam Johnson yesterday was quite unnecessary as the pacey winger was moving away from the goal and there was cover present in the form of Kieran Gibbs.

5) Sunderland strikers need better support from the midfield –

Jack Wilshere (C) vies with Sunderland’s striker Steven Fletcher (R) during the match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light

Frustrated by the events of the match and a goal being disallowed, Paolo Di Canio went on full ballistic mode in the dying minutes of the game, ranting it out at the ref, which saw him being sent off from the technical area.

The passion that Di Canio exhibited in those few minutes seems to be absent from the Black Cats midfield. The introduction of Craig Gardner and 20 minutes of resurgence of the Sunderland team saw the Arsenal box raided minute after minute.

Sunderland’s possession of decent enough attacking options was demonstrated in those 20 minutes when they scored 1 goal and were disallowed 2. One due to offside, and the other harshly rolled back by Martin Atkinson even when goal line technology confirmed it as a goal.

Jozy Altidore provided the physical presence while Steven Fletcher was a constant threat up ahead for Sunderland. But losing the battles in midfield did no good to Sunderland.

The Gunners midfield totally outclassed and outmatched the home side’s midfield. If Sunderland can upheave the performances of their midfield, there is every chance they would do better in the season. Not to forget the Italian international Giaccherini who was missing from the side today.