Five images that summed up Arsenal’s victory over Sunderland
Anything other than victory for Arsenal would have been a disaster. A pre-Halloween nightmare, if you will.
Luckily for Gunners worldwide, their side obliged in providing an expected victory. This was the sort of fixture that may previously have troubled the Gunners, a banana skin that would too frequently see Arsenal players slipping and sliding around like a far inferior side. This team has experience, a relaxed cockiness and the quality to overcome such difficulties.
Sunderland are hardly the greatest challenge Arsenal will face this season, but a Saturday lunchtime game in the North East will always present its own unique bunch of difficulties. The Gunners strode to victory with relative comfort, controlling the tempo of the game throughout, while limiting the Black Cats to the odd cross.
On a sunny, fresh afternoon at the Stadium of Light, Arsenal were dominant. They looked a side capable of winning multiple trophies this season.
Here are several of the images that told the story…
Alexis does his thing
Sunderland will have been hoping not to concede an early goal – as any side would do.
They could not manage that, unfortunately for David Moyes. A perfect ball from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was nodded home by Alexis Sanchez early in the first half, as the former Barca star continues to revel in the centre forward role.
When its against you…
Already down in the game and with David Moyes ageing by the minute, injuries were definitely not what the Scotsman wanted.
Injuries at all are bad. Injuries to your captain and central defender are even worse. John O’Shea felt a tweak, or so it seemed, during the first half and was replaced just before half-time.
With a potential injury lay-off now looming, Moyes has been handed yet another problem to contend with.
Awful Atkinson
Failing to give a clear penalty on Alexis one minute and awarding an – admittedly clear – penalty at the other end a few minutes later, Martin Atkinson did his level best to be very unpopular in North London.
Jermain Defoe did what he does and slotted the penalty home.
Many Happy Returns
Fresh from an injury lay-off, the under-rated, under-valued Olivier Giroud came on to wrestle momentum back and secure three points for the Gunners.
Giroud was a nuisance, scored almost immediately and added a splendid glace cherry with his second goal.
Oh, David
Sunderland are now officially the worst starters to any Premier League campaign. Ever.
They are that bad. That’s worse than Villa last year, worse than that Derby side and even worse than David Moyes’ Manchester United team. Bleak doesn’t quite do it justice.