- Details
- Written by Shane Thomas
A few weeks ago, Mikel Arteta called February the key month of Arsenal's season. So far, it has led to elimination from the FA Cup, and after being thoroughly outclassed by Bayern Munich, it appears the same will happen in the Champions League.
Wojciech Szczesny - 5 – Could have done better with Daniel Van Buyten's header that led to Bayern's second goal, but otherwise was pretty blameless, although he did flap badly at a corner in the second half.
Bacary Sagna - 6 – Wasn't helped by having to patrol the right flank on his own, but struggled to make an impact going forward. His crossing was poor, and he was closed down quickly when in possession. Got caught the wrong wide of Mario Mandzukic for the killer third goal.
- Details
- Written by Shane Thomas
It was the nightmare of Bradford revisited. A somnambulant display allowing well-organised lower league opposition to knock Arsenal out of a cup competition.
Wojciech Szczesny - 5 – He had very little to do, but was one of three players at fault for the goal. Saved the first effort from Martin Olsson, but needed to parry it away from goal, rather than back into the penalty area, allowing Colin Kazim-Richards to score the winner.
Francis Coquelin - 5 – His distribution from wide was ordinary, and always looked vulnerable defensively. Being beaten in the air was the first in the chain of dominoes to fall for the goal.
- Details
- Written by Shane Thomas
A game that was attrition personified. Arsenal needed an impressive second-half defensive display to preserve their 1-0 half-time lead to remain in touch with the chase for a top 4 finish.
Wojciech Szczesny - 8 - Flapped at one Sunderland corner in the second-half, but was otherwise faultless. The maxim about a save being worth as much as a goal came into play, as the Pole made two superb saves from point-blank range.
Carl Jenkinson - 5 - Maybe it was because he was called into the first XI at the last minute, or maybe it was due to him being ring-rusty, having played so little recently, but whatever the reason, Jenkinson looked off the pace. Struggled with Stephane Sessegnon, and was rightly sent-off for two yellow cards.
- Details
- Written by Sam Steele
In a game of two halves, ten men Arsenal successfully saw off the challenge of their hosts Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to claim all three points thanks to a solitary strike from Santi Cazorla.
A Tale of Two Halves
Whereas recently Arsenal have been notoriously slow starters, today it was the Gunners who took the initiative in the first half, playing some wonderfully constructed football that was reminiscent of earlier times under Wenger.
With Wilshere and Cazorla in full flow in the middle, Arsenal took control of the match creating numerous opportunities and should have had the game to bed by the time the referee blew his whistle for half time: Ramsey being the most guilty party after squandering an excellent chance from inside the six yard area.
- Details
- Written by Graham Hitchen
One game, three points. Not a bad start for someone who, only 48 hours before the match, was polishing his boots while enjoying the warmth of the southern Spanish sun.
Then, after a frantic few hours during transfer deadline day, he found himself presented with one of the most daunting tasks in English football – defending against the singular style of Stoke.
Trying hard not to be Santos
He had a couple of Santos moments – for example, the right-footed shot which almost hit the corner flag, and a skewed clearance which went straight out for a throw.
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