Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Arsenal’s hopes of a top four finish would have slightly diminished at the weekend after Liverpool made light work of West Ham at The London Stadium but all they can do is keep winning their games and continue to ask questions of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
They have certainly been doing there bit as an unbeaten run of three matches sees them napping at the heels of the Merseysiders but have they left themselves too much to do. Tonight they will look to add another three points to their tally as they play host to basement side Sunderland.
The Gunners cleared another hurdle on Saturday as they finally got the better of Stoke for the first time in seven years. A relatively routine win at The Bet365 Stadium was the order of the day as they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners.
They were coasting at 2-0 thanks to goals from Oliver Giroud and Mesut Ozil but Stoke just gave themselves a glimpse of getting back into the game thanks a slightly suspicious looking goal from former England international Peter Crouch.
The Arsenal of former years would have more than likely capitulated under the pressure that Stoke threw at them but credit must be given to them for the fact that they not only withstood the Stoke battering ram but they also found their way up threw the gears to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive.
Victory came at the small cost of Alexis Sanchez being doubtful for the visit of Sunderland but even if their Chilean talisman was unavailable for this evening you get the feeling that Arsenal will have more than enough quality to stroll past an abject Sunderland.
Sunderland are counting down the days in which the Premier League status is no more and in all honesty for everyone connected to the club their drop to the second flight cannot come soon enough. The Black Cats have been below par throughout this season and the rebuilding job starts in earnest very shortly.
But that said you do have to wonder just how big of a job David Moyes is going to need to undertake at The Stadium Of Light if they are to bounce back at the first time of asking. The two players who have come away from this season with any real credit, Jordan Pickford and Jermain Defoe look more than likely to depart in the Summer.
And with that in mind you have to question just what other quality there is throughout this Sunderland side, not only that it is a team that has been seemingly cutting its cloth over the past few years and the years of managed decline has finally caught up with them.
A big clear out is certainly needed on Wearside, the best thing Sunderland can do is get rid of the mercenaries that have been all too ready to pick up a pay packet without matching the efforts that should go with their wages. Should they be able to get some form of identity then they might be able to move forward.
But that is a job for a few weeks time, Tonight they will have to make sure they play for at least pride with many wondering just how many Arsenal can put past them. A big win for Arsene Wenger’s side will definitely get their tails up for the F.A. Cup Final next Saturday. I can’t see anything other than a home win
