Arsenal vs Sunderland 0-0: Some Thoughts

Abou Diaby grossed out by the no goals

Alright, so the Barclays Premier League kicked off this weekend and the marquee game televised on ESPN was the Gunners, of course, and the Blackcats of Sunderland. Now in my last Arsenal blog, we discussed the betrayal of former Arsenal goal scoring sensation Robin Van Persie (hurts to write his name). The new era of Arsenal would take the field at the Emirates without their former captain and leading goal getter. More news came prior to the game as well concerning transfers. Arsenal had agreed to sell Alex Song, their best passer, to the vultures at FC Barcelona. I hate to see Song go as well, but it's another good piece of business for Arsenal, turning in 14 million in profit for a player they signed for 1 million pounds in 2006. Hopefully they use this and Van Persie's fees on more players to help the club because there are still some holes.

Despite keeping the ball for most of the game, the Gunners were unable to break down a sturdy Sunderland defense. All 3 new signings played, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, and Olivier Giroud. Podolski and Cazorla started while Giroud came off the bench. Cazorla is a classy midfielder, a great passer with FIFA-esque vision and he works hard for the team, running all over the pitch. Podolski didn't run the full 90, but he showed flashes of what he could be for the club. Giroud on the other hand, came on for Podolski and was handed a golden opportunity in the 82nd minute by a wonderful slip pass by Santi Cazorla, but instead of pouncing and sealing a deserved 1-0 lead for Arsenal, he drilled his shot wide looking like me in the park or Jonathan Soriano. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBS7r9XSTGg, Ok it wasn't as bad as that dude.) And so went Arsenal's hopes of all 3 points in their opening game.

I still like how the Gunners played. They weren't too bad at the back on defense, Vermaelen did well in his first game as captain and Per Mertesacker filled in well for Laurent Koscielny, who was out with a muscle strain. One Gunner who I was happy to see back was Abou Diaby. He's gonna have to fill in for Alex Song and I'm pretty sure that if he stays healthy, he can help the Gunners tremendously.

I know a 0-0 draw sounds boring, but it's a step forward for Arsenal. Next week they travel to Stoke City, where it is always tough to get points. Hopefully there will be another signing by that time and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be back from injury to give a must needed boost of energy and youth. Keep steady at the back and put the ball in the net, pretty simple stuff I'd say, Arsene will tell the boys something pretty similar I assume.