Football Update: Arsenal aiming to continue their unbeaten run (Part 1)
The English Premier League side, Arsenal will look to continue their impressive form against Sunderland in a difficult away fixture at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal have been ruthless in the demolitions of physically difficult side Bolton. Along with that,
Gunners have thrashed the Portuguese Champions Sporting Braga by 6 goals, while maintaining the clean sheet in their UEFA Champions League opening match.
The Northern London side have been unbeaten so far. The Gunners are currently on the second position in Barclays Premier League with 12 points, just two points behind Chelsea. Arsenal have managed to win three out of four Premier League fixtures. Currently,
Chelsea, last time Premiership winners, is topping the Barclays Premier League table with fourteen points. Arsenal will be looking to maintain their unbeaten campaign, when they will feature on Saturday against Sunderland.
Sunderland, on the other hand, didn’t start off well in this season. Sunderland have managed to get only five points out of possible twelve. Sunderland suffered their first defeat of this season against newly promoted West Bromwich Albion. Last week, Sunderland
shocked the world when they defeated Manchester City.
However, Sunderland finished eighth last season. Over the years, Sunderland have improved a lot and have given tough time to the top four sides of the Premier League. Last season Sunderland were undefeated at the Stadium of Light. Black Cats have only lost
one match in the last twelve Premier League fixtures at home. The only defeat was against the dominating Manchester United at the tail-end of last season.
Moreover, Sunderland have shown that they are strong willed and will not buckle down under pressure from any more talented teams of English Premier League.
Last Wednesday, Arsenal thrashed Portuguese champions Sporting Braga 6-0 in the UEFA Champions league fixture, but will surely not find things easier at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland is definitely a strong opponent and it will take a lot of efforts to
beat the Black Cats.
Last season, Arsenal lost to Sunderland 1-0, after losing their superstar striker Robin van Persie due to injury in an International friendly in the midweek. The Gunners sole striker Robin Van Persie will not be available this time around as well. However,
this time Arsene Wenger’s new signing Mouruane Chamakh will be playing in place of Robin Van Persie.
The Moroccan striker has impressed in the role of lone striker. Chamakh has scored three goals in four matches after joining Arsenal in this summer from Bordeaux on a free transfer. Chamakh has great ability of scoring goals on headers. Chamakh’s signing
had a great impact on Arsenal squad as they were missing a striker with aerial ability to score goals.
Moreover, Sunderland has signed talented Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan in the last days of this summer transfer window. Asamoah Gyan was very impressive in the FIFA World Cup for Ghana. Gyan was the one who ended America’s World Cup campaign when he scored
in the final minutes of the extra time in pre quarter finals.
Gyan will probably play upfront with the dangerous Darren Bent for this tough encounter. Gyan has scored on his debut in the English Premier League fixture against Wigan Athletic. The dangerous pairing of Bent and Gyan will surely create problems for the
Gunners on the weekend.
Moreover, the new central defensive pairing of Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal would have their work cut out against the strong attack of Sunderland. Meanwhile, Arsenal will surely miss their very impressive and talented centre back
Thomas Vermaelen who will not play due to injury.
Defence was the main concern for Arsenal last season because Gunners lost their twenty one points due to poor defensive performance last season. Arsenal are expected to perform well defensively this season.
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