Sunderland 2 Arsenal 2
Could Sunderland get European football this season. It sounds outlandish but Sunderland really could get European football this year, with the increased amount of teams in Europe thanks to the Premier leagues co-efficient, finishing 8th could get in the Conference League next year. You look at European contenders like Newcastle and Brighton struggling if Sunderland can keep this form up they might be in Europe next year.
Arsenal will not be breaking Chelsea’s defensive record of conceding 15 goals in a league season. There was a lot of talk during the week that Arsenal could break Chelsea’s record but I think the Premier League is too strong from top to bottom for anyone to break that record, Arsenal would have to concede only 10 goals from 27 games to equal the record which I just don’t think is going to be possible this year.
Arsenal’s attack looks blunt. It’s obviously important to point out that Arsenal have injury problems at the minute to important players like Odegaard and Gyokores but this has been an ongoing problem throughout the season for Arsenal in open play. Their two goals today came from a mistake from Enzo Le Fee giving the ball away to Merino who slipped Saka through for the equaliser and then a rocket from Trossard from the edge of the box, Arsenal had sustained pressure and possession throughout the second half especially but didn’t create enough to test Roefs in the Sunderland goal.
Granit Xhaka has been the signing of the season so far. I think going into the season many people were wondering if Xhaka could still keep up with the speed and tempo of the Premier League at 33 years of age but he’s proved all the doubters wrong, to come into a newly promoted club and take the captain’s armband straight away leading the team to 4th place in November shows the strength of character and just how good of a player he is. To go toe to toe with a midfield of Rice, Zubimendi and Eze and come out with flying colours shows his drive and passion to keep pushing this Sunderland team.
I can’t end this piece without mentioning Dan Ballard, the first goal was brilliant to volley it past Raya which wasn’t easy to keep it down and the assist for the equaliser at the end flicking it onto Brobbey who finished eloquently with the scissor kick over Gabriel’s head past Raya. A well deserved player of the match award from the ex-Arsenal youth academy player