Arsenal Top of the Table but in Deep Doo-doo

A 3-1 score away at the Stadium of Light is hard to come by.  Leaving out the 1-0 win last  February, we have traditionally either drawn or lost there in a somewhat lacklustre style.  Today's match was very different.  It was a game that started with a beautiful team goal, was peppered with controversy, ended with us controlling the game, and left us in alarm at possible additional injuries.

Our starting lineup was anyone's guess aswe were apprised that both Mertesacker and Ozil missed training due to being ill.  Personally, my heart sank at thinking that we would have to wait until mid-week before we got to see Mesut take the pitch as a Gunner.  But, thankfully, he was feeling better and started , mostly due to the fact that Santi was reported out with an ankle injury.  So we had Jack on the wing with Ozil, Rambo, and The Flamster combining in the middle, Sagna at centerback, and the Corporal at right back.

We saw the potential of Ozil's influence early on in the game when he brought down a lovely ball sent forward by Gibbs, and then slid a perfect pass across for Giroud to put into the net without having to break his stride.  From front to back, the play was perfection.

We could have been up 3-0 at halftime if Theo was able to put away his chances provided again by Ozil and then by Giroud.  But although his movement was excellent, his finishing was sub-par, and Theo is still not on the score sheet this season.

Sunderland got back in the game when Koz foolishly slid into a tackle on Adam Johnson.  Johnson was on Koz' right hand side away from goal, and Gibbs was there to help.  Going to ground was unnecessary.  This is Laurent's 2nd penalty for this season.  He's a good defender, but sometimes it seems his brain leaves his body leaving him prone to rash decisions.  Anyway, Sunderland converted the penalty and drew even.

Now for the controversial part.  Altidore almost made it 1-2. When Sagna and he tussled and grappled outside the box, Atkins blew a whistle for a freekick to Sunderland as opposed to playing advantage.  Not hearing the whistle, the American broke free and rolled the ball into the net.  The goal was disallowed and the free kick given (which Sunderland made mince-meat out of).  Usually, Arsenal are on the pointy stick end of Lady Luck, but that call kept us in the game.  

Sunderland continued pressing and knocking at the door, gaining momentum due to their indignation at Atkins's decision.  And if it weren't for Aaron Ramsey, things may have turned out very differently for us.  Ramsey scored two pretty goals.  He got on the end of a terrific cross from the Corporal and volleyed it in for his first goal in the 67th minute, and then got on the end of a Giroud through ball in the 75th minute.  His newly found composure in front of the net has resulted in five goals in all competitions.

The end of the match, however, left me wringing my hands as Giroud fell to the ground holding his knee after merely kicking the ball. Arsene, along with confirming that Santi is out for "three weeks" with his ankle injury, admitted he is worried about Giroud as well:  

"That's my worry today after the game. We are very thin at the moment. [It is] a knee problem. He is the player at the moment that would be very difficult for us [to replace]."

No kidding.

However, Olivier put this up on his Twitter feed not long ago:

My knee is ok don't worry! Thanks for your support! 😉
— Olivier Giroud (@_OlivierGiroud_) September 14, 2013

Now, Giroud strikes me as being an optimistic kind of fellow.  Let's hope his statement is based on medical data and not pure sentiment.

That's all the news for now.  I'll be back to preview our Champions League match against Marseille Wednesday.  Until then, enjoy being at the top Gooners.  Have a good one.
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