Talking Tactics

AC Milan V
Arsenal
15TH FEB 2012

Saturday 18th February
Kick off: 17:15
Stadium of Light

Sunderland
2 – 0
Arsenal

Arsenal V
Tottenham Hotspur
26TH FEB 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH

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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

Full Time Full time: Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal
Top Comments:
- BennHolmes on Twitter says:
  
  Chamberlain- Knackered. Arteta- Poor. Song- Jaded. Walcott- No Service. Defence(Bar Sagna)- Shambles. RvP-No Service.
90

RUNNING OUT OF TIME: It's desperate stuff but Arsenal need a miracle now as they push on. Three minutes of added time to go
Top Comments:
- RobSmout on Twitter says:
  
  Pitch is a disgrace, ref is useless, injury ridden etc but we should still be breezing past these. I cant remember 1 chance?
88

Substitution SUNDERLAND CHANGE: Campbell on for Sessegnon
85

CHANCE ARSENAL: Rosicky breaks forward and plays a ball into Van Persie in the box but he can't control it and fires it over
83

MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB: It's not looking good for Arsenal, and that unfortunate second goal may just have killed off their hopes in the FA Cup
Top Comments:
- ArmouryGooner on Twitter says:
  
  No angry with the result but how static we've been like statues. No positional interchange by the players or anything
80

REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Tim Peter and Arsenal legend Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK)
77

GOAL! - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 2 : 0 GOAL for Sunderland: A break by the hosts sees Sessegnon set up Larsson and his shot hits Oxlade-Chamberlain on the line and go in
Top Comments:
- turnpikeylane on Twitter says:
  
  No use blaming pitch or ref, Sunderland make us look soft, pampered, passionless.
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  It’s not the response we’ve been hoping for after the Milan mauling. You have say that Sunderland deserve the lead
75

Yellow Card GARDNER BOOKED: The midfielder drags back Rosicky and has his name taken
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Cynical foul because Rosicky was running through. He was furious that he got pulled back by Gardner
73

#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
70

PUSHING UP: Arsenal are playing a very high line as they search for an equaliser, and Sunderland have nearly exposed it twice. Only two last-ditch tackles have prevented a clean run on goal for the hosts
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  But for that interception by Song, I think that was a goal for Sessegnon and Sunderland.
68

RAISING THE TEMPO: Wenger's side are trying to up their workrate and find some rhythm but they can't find a way through
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I like Van Persie in that forward midfield position, but unfortunately you put him there and you miss him up front. I’m not quite sure Walcott fits the bill as the striker, but I’ll change my mind if he scores the equaliser
65

JUST WIDE: Van Persie's 25-yard free kick deflects just wide of the far post. The corner comes to nothing
64

Yellow Card LARSSON BOOKED: The former Gunner is yellow carded for a late challenge
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Better from Arsenal. It’s a reversal of fortune from the first half. Arsenal are cranking it up now and Sunderland don’t seem to be playing with the same intensity as before. This could play into Arsnal’s hands
62

BETTER FROM THE GUNNERS: Arsenal trying to build up a head of steam as they push and probe at Sunderland
60

GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
57

Yellow Card VERMAELEN BOOKED: The Belgian defender is booked for a challenge on Larsson
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Seb Larsson is so dangerous on the free-kick. Wenger rates him as the best in the league
57

#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
55

Yellow Card CATTERMOLE BOOKED
54

SHUFFLING THE PACK: Alex Song has dropped to centre back, while Tomas Rosciky is playing through the middle with Walcott up front with Van Persie
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I think what we’ve got is Robin van Persie playing in the Ramsey role and then Walcott up front. Oxlade Chamberlain right, Gervinho left. Van Persie will play the provider and and Walcott the central striker
53

Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Walcott on for Squillaci
Top Comments:
- garypelosi on Twitter says:
  
  Don't even know what to say about are line up now except interesting!
53

Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Rosicky for Ramsey
51

CHANGE ON ITS WAY: Rosicky looks like he could be coming on any minute for Arsenal
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Aaron Ramsey has just indicated that we wants to come off. That is probably why he was out warming up on the pitch a few minutes before the rest of the players came back out
48

LARSSON JUST OVER: The Sunderland midfielder curls a beautiful free kick over the wall but it drops just over. Good effort
47

Yellow Card SAGNA BOOKED: The French defender takes down McClean late and is booked
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Sagna took a wild swipe and got the man but not the ball. That's free kick all day long.
Kick Off We are back underway - can Arsenal turn it around in this second half? Big 45 minutes for the season
Top Comments:
- Piper80DM on Twitter says:
  
  Most important 45mins for Wenger and Arsenal this season. Need to see something from both
45

#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
45

GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
Half Time HALF TIME: Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
Top Comments:
- samwhich77 on Twitter says:
  
  What is going on with Arsenal, we are playing like we have forgotten how to play the Arsenal way!!!
44

CLOSE FOR SUNDERLAND: Larsson whips in a lovely cross from the right, Colback keeps it in at the back post but McClean fires wide
41

UNLUCKY ARSENAL: That was scarcely deserved but Richardson caught it nicely and it took a deflection and headed past Fabianski
Top Comments:
- Wulfy7 on Twitter says:
  
  Not again! Having 4th and 5th choice centre backs playing is never going to be pretty!
40

GOAL! - Kieran Richardson 1 : 0 GOAL for Sunderland: Richardson whips a low shot into the far corner
39

Yellow Card DJOUROU BOOKED: The Swiss defender held back Colback and has his name taken
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  It was always a yellow card for me. It wasn't a red only because of the position.
38

WHO WON THE LEAGUE AT TOTTENHAM? The Arsenal fans are really enjoying themselves today, and they're the ones making themselves heard at the Stadium of Light
35

ARSENAL TAKING CONTROL: It's been a good little period this for the Gunners, and they're dominating possession, albeit without finding a way through
32

PENALTY SHOUT ARSENAL: Song plays through Van Persie, who is tackled in the box and it looks a penalty but Turner may have just got a touch on the ball. Marginal but it is waved away
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Another wonderful ball from Alex Song. No penalty call, but if you look, Van Persie isn’t complaining that much.
- OfficialMBird on Twitter says:
  
  It annoys me that Arsenal never appeal for anything
30

CHANCE SUNDERLAND: Larsson's whipped in corner from the right evades everyone and flies across the six-yard box.
28

GERVINHO CLOSE! Van Persie plays the Ivorian through but he is pushed wide and his fierce shot is saved. Best chance of the game so far
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Gervinho looks like Arsenal’s best hope. He looks very incisive and pacey. You could forget about his pace since he has been gone for so long
25

SCRAPPY STUFF: Neither side has got into their stride yet, and the pitch is certainly causing problems as players slip and slide about on it
22

GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
20

#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
18

HALF CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND: Sessegnon nearly sends Larsson through but Vermaelen defends well. The hosts are gaining in confidence
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal haven’t settled. They were bright early on but the change of Squillaci coming on and Vermaelen moving to left-back seems to have affected them and they under the cosh now
15

RAMSEY STRUGGLING: The Welshman has picked up a knock and is receiving treatment. Tomas Rosciky warming up, but the Welshman is back on for now
Top Comments:
- fuchsiasbright on Twitter says:
  
  More heart in mouth moments at Sunderland. Will it be a case of last man standing?
14

SESSEGNON WIDE: The forward collects the ball 20 yards out and takes a touch before bending the ball a yard or so past the far post
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Fabianski took a look at one or two of his defenders because they let Sessegnon get a shot off – even though it went wide.
11

BIG TEST FOR ARSENAL: It's a patched up defence, with Vermaelen back at left back and Squillaci partnering Djourou in the middle
10

Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Squillaci replaces Coquelin
7

COQUELIN DOWN: The pitch may have already claimed a victim and it looks like it could be a hamstring injury. He's receiving treatment, but Arsene Wenger really doesn't need this. He won't be playing any further part today
Top Comments:
- adilraza1983 on Twitter says:
  
  Coquelin injured his hamstring again,such a shame,he's looked decent everytime he's played
6

SO CLOSE! Arteta bends a lovely free kick from 25 yards just wide. What a terrific effort from the Spaniard
5

GOOD START: Arsenal have settled well and Sunderland have barely got out of their half yet. The Gunners are spraying it about nicely
3

HE'LL SCORE WHEN HE WANTS: The Arsenal fans are in fine voice already at a surprisingly half full Stadium of Light
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  A nice bright start from Arsenal. I’m happy that the opening couple of minutes show that Arsenal are going to have some sort of response
2

PITCHED BATTLE: The turf here at the Stadium if Light could, erm, cause some problems shall we say. It's not good
Kick Off AND WE'RE OFF! Arsenal are kicking from right to left and Van Persie and Ramsey get us going
CAN ARSENAL BOUNCE BACK? After the disappointing performance in Milan, the Gunners nearly need an instant response. Let's hope they can deliver
Top Comments:
- sarahatTRAC on Twitter says:
  
  Lets see if defeat & disappointment motivates a team to improve. Ready to be 12th man & cheer my team into qtr final
THE TEAM ARE OUT! Both sides are out at a loud Stadium of Light and we are minutes away from kick off
NOISY SUPPORT: Arsenal have brought 20 coaches of fans up from London for this one, all 4,200 tickets have been sold. Fantastic support
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Dan and Richard about the Arsenal team news - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
Top Comments:
- Kenny Sansom on Arsenal Player says:
  
  For me the front three – Chamberlain, Van Persie and Gervinho - has been fantastic . If they play well, I think we can win. Don’t play for the draw, play for the win. I think the team that attacks in the first 20-25 minute s will win the game
TEAM NEWS: Other changes see Gervinho in for Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain in for Walcott and Coquelin for Gibbs. Djourou replaces Koscielny as expected
Top Comments:
- Kenny Sansom on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Chamberlain has been great for me, he’s got pace, he’s got strength. The tough thing is he’s got to keep improving and defence is not where he’s going to want to go. He’s got to learn full-back because full-backs are going to try to stop him.
FABIANSKI RETURNS: The Pole takes his place between the sticks for the Gunners today
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Dan and Richard - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
Kick off is as 5.15pm today (UK time), with Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke as the commentary team, but our Matchday Show gets underway 25 minutes earlier. Tune in for an exclusive pre-match interview with Arsene Wenger, highlights from the AC Milan match and all the latest team news ahead of today’s game
Subs: Westwood, Elmohamady, Meyler, Bridge, Kyrgiakos, Ji, Campbell
Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Richardson, Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Gardner, McClean, Sessegnon.
Top Comments:
- Kenny Sansom on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I think Sunderland will feel confident after the Milan result.
Subs: Rosicky, Szczesny, Walcott, Squillaci, Arshavin, Chamakh, Benayoun
ARSENAL: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Coquelin, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Van Persie
Top Comments:
- FabulousGunner on Twitter says:
  
  Looking forward to see how good the combination of Gervinho and @Alex_Ox_Chambo is gonna be
- Razzak_patel on Twitter says:
  
  So good have Gervinho back!! Will need his pace and dribbling to break the Sunderland defence. Come on you Mighty Gooners!!!
Sunderland, though, have been rejuvenated by Martin O’Neill and will be after a measure of revenge this evening
Thierry Henry’s last-gasp winner settled matters the last time the two sides met, last weekend, and the travelling Gunners contingent will be hoping for more of the same
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Sunderland, as Arsene Wenger’s side look to get back to winnings ways