Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta don get serious warning on how other teams fit take play their game after Sunderland show them pepper for their 2-2 Premier League draw on Saturday.
Before the match, Arsenal bin dey hot — 10 wins back-to-back for all competitions and 8 straight clean sheets, something wey dem never do for 122 years.
But Sunderland burst their 812-minute clean sheet record when Daniel Ballard, one ex-Arsenal academy player, score against them. Arsenal later bounce back with sweet second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
But defensively, Arsenal no dey themselves that day. Dem allow Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey equalize for injury time after e hook ball enter net past Gabriel Magalhães. That one pain Arsenal fans well-well.
How Sunderland Take “Enter Arsenal Skin” for the 2-2 Draw
Sports Mole yarn with Arsenal analyst Charles Watts to understand wetin really go wrong for Arsenal back line. Him talk say Sunderland use direct and “second-ball” tactics wey confuse Arsenal defense.
“I just feel say Sunderland really disturb Arsenal,” Watts talk. “Dem get one kind direct style. Inside the first two minutes, dem get free kick from their own half, and Granit Xhaka dey point make everybody move front like say na corner. From that moment, the tone don set. No be only the first ball, but na the second ball too wey cause wahala.”
“Both of Sunderland goals na from second balls. Arsenal no handle the first ball and no even clear the second one well. Normally, these boys sabi defend those things. You gats give Sunderland their flowers — dem plan am well.
Dem don prepare all week how dem go take disturb Arsenal, and dem execute am perfectly. Arsenal just look somehow shaky. Gabriel no too strong like normal, and for the first goal, Declan Rice dey watch Daniel Ballard too much till e forget to head the ball well.”
“Sunderland just enter Arsenal body small. And this season, nobody really fit do Arsenal like that.”
Arsenal Still Top Table — But Manchester City Don Dey Close
Even though Arsenal no lose the match, the 2-2 draw mean say their gap for top reduce to just three points after Manchester City hammer Liverpool 3-0. After the international break, Arsenal go enter one serious line of matches starting with North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur for Emirates on November 23.
After that, dem go welcome Bayern Munich for Champions League blockbuster match on November 26, before dem go Stamford Bridge go face Chelsea four days later.
Arsenal Fit Lose Form at the Wrong Time?
Brentford (home) and Aston Villa (away) still dey wait Arsenal for early December, and Charles Watts believe say the Sunderland result fit affect their mental confidence.
“Anytime wey you lose your winning streak no ever good, but e go still happen one day,” him talk. “You no fit win every game, or keep clean sheet forever. Records hard to break, and Arsenal don already break plenty this season.”
“E pain, not even because of clean sheet matter, but because dem almost win the match. That kind win for tough ground like Sunderland for boost their belief. Sunderland crowd dey mad that day — noise, pressure, everything. Arsenal manage come back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, that for be massive. But dem let am slip through their fingers.”
Arteta Substitution Wahala
Arteta only make one change for the match — Eberechi Eze out, Cristhian Mosquera in, 88th minute. According to Watts, Arteta for still try two or three other subs wey fit stop Brobbey’s last-minute equalizer.
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