Arsenal vs Sunderland

Time of match: 12pm (Uk's time)
Venue: Emirates stadium

Today was the eventful match between Arsenal and Sunderland. Our very own Robin Yan Persie, was quick enough to send us a detailed report of the game... let us take a look..

Robin Yan Persie’s double-goal frenzy sent Arsenal back to the top of the league standings as Arsenal beat a very strong-willed Sunderland 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

The hosts, caught napping on several occasions, let Sunderland draw level with goals from Ross Wallace and Kenwyne Jones.

Cesc Fabregas was pushed over by Grant Leadbitter in the 7th minute in the central area 20 yards out from Sunderland’s goal. Yan Persie stepped up for the free-kick alongside Fabregas but it was the Dutchman who eventually smashed home a stunning shot to the underside of the crossbar to give the Gunners an early lead.

Arsenal was now in charge of the game as they continued their efforts to regain their pole position in the Barclay’s Premiership Standings.

Bacary Sagna raced down the right and sent in a perfect cross for Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo striker managed to connect well with his head but Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, acrobatically tipped the goal-bound effort over the bar.

14 minutes into play, Arsenal extended their lead and Gordon has no one else to blame but his woeful defenders. Arsenal’s corner from the left was miserably cleared and was sent back into the danger zone. It fell to Diaby’s feet but he miskicked it and the rolling ball was left to Philippe Senderos to stab a low-shot into the right corner in a rather unbalanced manner. Nonetheless, the goal counted and the Gunners now lead by two goals.

Sunderland looked miserable and pathetic as Arsenal outpaced n outplayed them in attack, midfield and defence.

Hleb, back from injury, added more options for the Gunner’s attack as the Belarus midfielder waltzed through defenders and found himself on the right flank in the 20th minute. He sent in a cross to Diaby in the far post who swept the ball in but assistant referee flagged for an offside offence by Flamini in the centre of the 6-yard box.

Arsenal’s concentration lapsed gradually and paid the price when Sunderland reduced the Gunner’s lead to a goal in the 24th minute. A long-range pass set Jones ahead of his marker, Glichy, and he fired an angled shot which was parried away by Alumnia. The loose ball found it way to Wallace, who calmly fired it into goal.

Sunderland earned more possession after Wallace’s goal and found themselves on the attack more than they were in the earlier half hour of play. However, Arsenal looked as menancing as ever on the counter-attack. Yan Persie managed a fierce strike from 25-yards out and Gordon had to tip the shot over the bar. The corner, sent in by Yan Persie, had Senderos heading the ball just wide of the goal.

Many would expect the Gunners to extend their lead in the 2nd-half of play. However, it was Sunderland who drew level 3 minutes into the 2nd period. Liam Miller received the ball on the left and raced down the flank to send in a looping cross into Arsenal’s penalty area. Jones managed to get on top of Glichy to head down into goal.

It was joy for the Sunderland supporters whose cheers could be clearly heard as the Gunners’ fans remained silent. Arsenal’s tempo picked up slowly again and their slick passing were again evident. It seems like the Gunners were regaining their form that they had temporarily lost due to lack of concentration. Kolo Toure picked up the ball 30-yards out and the Arsenal captain smashed goalwards a scorching effort that beat Gordon but not the goal’s framework. It ricocheted off the inside of Sunderland’s right hand post back into play and was duly cleared.

Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott with 33 minutes remaining and the England Under-21 striker proved his worth. His pace and dribbling skills caught Sunderland’s defenders wrong-footed several times as he raced down the right flank.

Hleb managed to wriggle his way into Sunderland’s six-yard box and cut the ball back to the far post where Walcott was but the teenager missed from 4 yards out.

However, Walcott redeemed himself with 10 minutes from time as he showed great ball control to side-step his marker at the edge of the penalty box to feed Yan Persie with the perfect pass. The Dutch ace controlled the ball with a first touch and then hammered home the winning goal with his left foot, the ball never touching the ground.

The Emirates roared and drowned cheers of encouragement by the Sunderland fans. Sunderland battled to earn back the point that they once had. Paul McShane certainly did not help in their cause as the Sunderland defender was shown the red card in the 90th minute for clattering on Hleb with his knee even though when the Arsenal winger was already on the ground.

Stoppage time saw another miss by the Gunners to extend their 3-2 lead when Walcott’s angled shot from the right side struck the base of the post.

This hard-fought victory sends Arsenal to the top of the Premiership standings where they have a two-point lead over 2nd-placed Manchester United with a game in hand. This 10th consecutive victory brings back memories of Arsenal’s undisputed and unmatched 49-games unbeaten record.

Will they better this record they set 3 years ago? With this current form and slick style of play, the Gunners are ready to take on any team! Go Gunners!


This unbiased match report was prepared by a very tired Robin Yan Persie.

Robin Yan Persie did the team proud again. 2 amazing goals that lead the team to victory yet once more. Arsenal still standing firm, after their 10th straight victory, as the league-leaders of the Barclay's Premier League! Once again.... GO GUNNERS!

A snapshot of the his great performance this evening.. Robin Yan Persie!

And his many wonder goals!