Sunderland 1 Arsenal 1:THE LATEST intimation Arsenal are mere mortals reminded everyone of two things: Jack Wilshere is not necessarily England's most talented young midfielder and bold right-wing policies really can go down a storm in Sunderland.
Arsene Wenger may prefer to blame Phil Dowd, the referee, for his side’s failure to secure three points, but this was an evening when Jordan Henderson eclipsed Wilshere and Ahmed Elmohamady’s right-wing conviction made him man of the match.
Denilson did not seem overly surprised. “You can’t expect to win at Sunderland,” said the Arsenal substitute, sounding a little like a Conservative party candidate on Wearside. “Sunderland have beaten the best sides here; it was always going to be a big game. It’s always difficult, it’s a tough place to play, but I still think we can win the Premier League. You can’t use this one result to say we’re not ready.”
Wenger proved appreciably less sanguine, his weekend clearly destroyed by the moment, deep in stoppage time, when Arsenal’s defence failed to clear Andy Reid’s corner, Elmohamady headed the ball back into the box and Darren Bent lashed home the equaliser.
Convinced the whistle should already have blown for full time, the incandescent Frenchman seemed to push Martin Atkinson, the fourth official. He icily denied that suggestion, but a Football Association charge could follow.
Admittedly, it had not been the visitors’ day. Despite taking a flukey lead when Anton Ferdinand’s hesitation led to an intended clearance ricochetting off Cesc Fabregas and looping into the net from 35 yards – “one of those moments when you want the ground to swallow you up,” acknowledged the centre-half – fortune had already started frowning on Wenger’s players.
There was even collateral damage from the goal, namely a hamstring injury which swiftly necessitated Fabregas’ withdrawal. Although it did not look too serious, Wenger said he “does not know” how long his midfield talisman might be absent and will anxiously await the results of scans today.
In Fabregas’ absence, Sunderland rarely allowed their guests to touch the flame of perfection Arsenal had grasped so breathtakingly against Braga in the Champions League last week. Indeed, largely courtesy of Elmohamady’s pacey incision, they shaded the first half.
“The kid was a threat all afternoon. I never expected Ahmed to make such an impact so quickly,” said Steve Bruce, who was equally satisfied by the manner in which Ferdinand and Titus Bramble dealt with Marouane Chamakh’s menace.
Wenger’s sense of grievance sharpened in the second half as Alex Song was sent off, controversially, for two bookable offences, but, up against 10 men, Sunderland floundered.
Samir Nasri won a penalty after Elmohamady rapped his ankle. However, Tomas Rosicky blasted the kick over the bar.
Bruce, realising there was not much point having Bent, Asamoah Gyan and the disappointing Danny Welbeck up front if midfield – Henderson excepted – was still being outpassed by Nasri and co, belatedly introduced some creative brainpower.
Tellingly, Reid and Boudewijn Zenden were involved in the equaliser’s preamble.
Wenger proceeded to cold-shoulder Bruce. “He’s never, ever had a drink with me,” said Sunderland’s manager. “But Arsene is a genius and Arsenal are fantastic. Whether they can push Chelsea off their perch though, that’s debatable.”
“Arsenal are the best team,” said Denilson. “We have the players and we have the touch. Chelsea have very strong players but they are old. This was just one game, we are still in a good position – and we play like Barcelona. Arsenal are going to win a trophy this season.”
Guardian Service
