Thoughts on Arsenal Match

What a start to the new season's campaign. Away at Arsenal is always a tough draw, but it was made slightly easier with the Gunners being down Robin VanPersie and Alex Song. They boasted plenty of firepower with Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla making their debuts for the home side. Sunderland expectedly lined up in a defensive formation, but there were a few surprises from the Black Cats. Seb Larsson played centrally behind Sessegnon who was deployed as a lone striker. Frazier Campbell played out wide right to provide pace and width on the attack. While Sunderland had some good play going forward, they spent much of the match on their heels and putting up a wall around their 18 yard box. Ultimately Martin O'Neills tactics won out and we held on for a 0-0 draw. Here are my quick thoughts following the match.

• Carlos Cuellar looks to be an excellent signing. He played well in the middle with John O'Shea. The two blocked numerous shots and kept things tight and compact in the middle. He slotted in nicely with Wes Brown being injured and Michael Turner off to Norwich.
• I'm not sure how much longer Kieran Richardson will be at the club, but he was excellent at Left Back today. I hope we are able to convince him to stay on with the club. His positioning and his work rate were excellent all day.
• Lots of fans wondered what would become of Seb Larsson this season, and like many predicted he was deployed centrally. However, he did not fare so well. He looked sloppy in possession and a little out of sorts in the middle of the pitch. I'm not ready to give up on the experiment yet though, I think he'll eventually succeed there.
• James McClean, who played with a jersey with his name misspelled, did not have much cutting edge today. I think when we set up so defensively his game is limited. He needs players ahead of him in the box for him to provide service to. We had so many numbers behind the ball today that when he did get the ball in advanced positions he was often the furthest payer forward.
• Frazier Campbell played wide on the right today, and in my opinion he struggled mightily. His pace is excellent but his touch on the ball and his positioning left much to be desired. I thought we looked better when Elmohamady replaced him out wide and gave us a more natural right winger on the pitch. It'll be interesting to see what happens with that position this season

All in all it was a great performance by the lads today. Cattermole and Colback manned the midfield with poise and I think both players are in for break out seasons. I think in the end it was our organization in the middle of the pitch that paid off and helped us earn a tough point against a very strong Arsenal side. 

Ha'way the Lads!