Morning all.
The festive fixtures have been kind to us with four matches in London. We face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the 27th December, Fulham at Craven Cottage on the 30th before playing both Ipswich Town and Brentford at the Emirates on January 2nd and 5th respectively. In fact all of December’s fixtures are in London.
Today’s fixture however is up in Sunderland.
Talking Tactics with Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke:
Sunderland will line up in a 4-2-3-1 with playmaker Le Fee playing behind striker Brian Brobbey. Last season, the muscular Dutchman was a handful inside the box, and the Wearsiders caused us issues with direct football. As it proved effective, there is no reason to suggest that the home side won’t go long again. The Black Cats are one of the best pressing sides in the division, so we must ready ourselves for a physical, full-blooded contest. Good at unsettling opponents with their tenacity and work rate, Le Bris’ side are an awkward outfit to find your flow against, and have faced just five shots on target so far, the fewest of all Premier League sides.
Out wide, our opponents also have good quality. Left winger Nilson Angulo is a tricky operator with a penchant for flair, while the other side, full-backs-turned-wingers Trai Hume or Thomas Meunier will provide great energy. Le Bris will ask plenty of Granit Xhaka, as his 23 ball recoveries since the start of the campaign ranks him second in the division. Sunderland only lost four of 19 home games in 2025/26 and have kicked off this season with a couple of 1-0 victories in all competitions. The longer they stay in the match, the more intimidating the atmosphere will be.
The referee for this game is John Brooks, he’s card happy this season having already dished out 25 yellows in four games.
Last weekends game against Chelsea was a cracker as two strong sides went for the win. Arsenal came out on top thanks to a couple of cracking goals, the first from Kai Havertz, the second from Martin Odegaard. Honestly, we could and probably should have won more comfortably and but for a bit of poor decision making in and around the opposition box, we would have. It was the same on Wednesday night against Napoli although that was different as our players simply couldn’t find the back of the net. Over the bar, wide of the posts or straight at the keeper – something we cannot afford to keep on doing.
In this fixture last season, we had 17 shots, 7 of which were on target and scored 2 goals. Sunderland had just 2 shots on target, both ended up in the back of the net. The second was in the 4th minute of added time at the end of the game.
Whilst we have won our three opening league fixtures, Sunderland have won, lost and drawn theirs. Even so, I think Mikel Arteta’s players are in for a tough 95 minutes.
Mikel Arteta has been talking about Kai Havertz and what his best position is:
The best position is in relation to what the game demands and what the team demands on the day – to be as efficient and unpredictable as possible. Kai is extremely intelligent – that’s his biggest quality. He understands the game – he’s five, 10 seconds ahead. He knows what’s happening, he doesn’t need to think about it – he just acts, and it makes the people around him better which is another massive quality. On top of that, he’s scoring goals, producing chances. He’s outstanding, and he’s in a great emotional state at the moment.
If his best position can change game by game:
It can, yes, because you can play as a nine, but what do you play as a nine? What’s your role with and without the ball? It’s a lot of things, a position on the pitch. When you put it in a tactical world, you probably put the nine in the centre – but then what do you do when there’s a set-piece, a transition moment, a high press, what if the goalkeeper is right or left-footed? There are a lot of factors that are going to take that space and the initial position to a different dimension.
Well that’s our big German up on a pedestal! Let’s hope he starts taking a few more chances which come his way if he’s to be our “number 9”. Saying that, if he’s setting up others as well as scoring himself and Arsenal keep winning, Arteta can keep blowing smoke up his chuffer all he likes and any other player too for that matter because that means they are doing well.
But, it’s not just Kai Havertz who needs to find his shooting boots pretty sharpish, because against Napoli, every player who had really good opportunities to score goals fluffed their lines. Such opportunities might not come around as frequently as they did in Italy, so I hope we can be ruthless when they come.
Enjoy the game guys.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning all, just watched highlights, Raya had great game, but was not too convinced with Saka penalty taking, as for Konsa I hope it’s only him getting used to our style of play as I am not convinced, he was a good buy at this stage.
love to know why Arteta refuses to start Gyokeres.
Havertz, all most of a Goel of the year contender with his shot over his shoulder.
Lost my feed just before half-time and missed the 2nd half altogether, bloody TNT. Fortunately I have a vivid imagination. 😁
Delighted to see Timber back but losing Ben isn’t great.
Happy for Bruno, he’s a Gunner now.
I saw Arteta post match and he was well pissed off, be prepared for the PGMOL to turn on Arsenal now Mikel has had a moan.
6 games, 5 clean sheets, long may that be the case.
Limey, let the haters hate, it makes our success even sweeter.
Saka has become a hostage to the hype surrounding him. He will 9 times out of 10 look for the far post bending shot rather than looking for a free man on the six yard box or a man coming through late .
Despite what some think Havertz is not the answer in games like tonights . He is not clinical in front of goal and does not have a goalscorers instinct . Arteta might like the way he drifts out wide or deep but it does us no favours when a physical team like Sunderland are pushing him about and he cannot hold the ball.
Tonight we saw the first throw in get overturned but I read this after
Sunderland had 12 throws over 20 seconds , 5 over 30 and 3 over 40.
Arsenal had 3 over 20 seconds and none over 30 seconds.
True or not I don’t know but it did seem that they were taking their time with their Alladyce tactical long throws.
I’d rather that than rush him back Obi. He was very good.
Re Saka, I think any one of him, Havertz and to a lesser degree imo, Tzolis (earlier) could have been subbed. Havertz and Saka were poor.
Rico, I wasn’t surprised that Timber did well. He has been training for weeks for some reason the coaching staff decided not to play him.
Btw, Arteta has to start subbing Saka or letting him come off the bench. He has been terrible, especially his finishing and decision making.
Why Jm?
Would you rather have a walk over JM?
It’s going to be a struggle in every game…
Timber looks like he’s never been out injured. Shame his goal was offside.
What a brilliant save it was too. So pleased Raya was awarded man of the match.
That was a tough and physical game.
I actually thought it was a penalty but agree with Ward and Fletcher on commentary in that all referees/var should be dealing with such incidents and not just a few.
I don’t mind var checking things like Raya coming off his line when the outcome is correct which it was tonight. Just..
Clean sheet, (thanks to man of the match David Raya saving a penalty in extra time), two goals, three points, top of the table. What’s not to like. 🔔🔔
Arteta absolutely furious in interview afterwards. Judo move pulled Konsa down, same as Keown said. Said it could have been so different due to you know who. They even had var trying to see if Raya had foot over line. Bloody Atwell.
Not sure nerves can take another season of this!
if havertz shoots its 2 nil
Bruno you star!
Great save Raya..
Perhaps Madueke will come on and score the winner…
If only…
Saka then Havertz fail to convert coulda , shoulda be two up . If only we had a striker
Evening Andrew, I’ve a feeling we might be on tenterhooks throughout the entire game 😂
Evening rico, all. Such a long wait on a Saturday to get started! Did think Bruno would add the bite, but fair play to MLS, who has been unstoppable. Be so nice to not be on tenderhooks for the last 30 minutes, but not holding my breath. Brought in Odergaard this week to my fantasy team, hope that’s not the kiss of death.
Couldn’t agree more. Football doesn’t care about the fans anymore.
Same starting 11 as the Chelsea game..
Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Tzolis, Havertz.
Subs: Eze, Timber, Kepa, Hincapie, Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Guimaraes.
Ridiculous time to start a match, it will be ten o’clock before our fans get out of the stadium and trains will be put away for the night. It’s a long drive from Sunderland to London, even at that time of night.
Not last season though Limey, if my memory serves me right.
Some odd results today.. 😂
Afternoon Rico,
All games are difficult but that’s some favourable Christmas/New Year fixtures. Fulham have given us trouble before though..
Missed this one yesterday…
We are delighted to announce we’ve reached a pre-contract agreement to sign Georgian forward Andria Bartishvili in July 2027.
The 17-year-old, who will be 18 when he moves to north London, operates as a winger or attacking midfielder.
Andria is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 in the Georgian top flight, one league above his parent club Kolkheti 1913.
Our latest recruit made his Erovnuli Liga debut with Kolkheti in 2025, and at the end of the season, was named the best U17 player in the division.
For the 2026 season, Andria moved to Iberia 1999, where he has since scored his first professional goal, netting the winner in a 1-0 win over Gagra in May.
At international level, Andria has flown through the Georgian youth ranks. Having impressed in his two under-16s appearances, he moved up to the under-17s, where he scored on his debut against Slovenia.
After an impressive run at under-17s level, the winger moved up to under-18s and quickly under-21s, where he has now made two appearances for Georgia.
Everyone at Arsenal looks forward to Andria’s arrival next summer and wishes him luck for the rest of this season at Iberia 1999.
The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
Hi Limey, I always think that about the TV companies. They show us when they think/hope an upset is on the cards. Like our Cup match against Ipswich.
Afternoon Cicero by the way, I missed your comment.
Makes sense with Rice now we have Guimaraes..
Another game,Another big test. Our last 2 games have been high intensity so I wonder if Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly will play again.
Both have been outstanding,in the case of MLS,I wonder if his performances have taken Arteta by surprise.
I think the TV companies put us in the evening slot hoping for an upset. Recently I’ve gone back on Twitter,it’s incredible the hatred for Arteta in particular and Arsenal in general,most of football is desperate for us to fail (that’s what it feels like)
COYG
I’m watch the golf.. Go Europe…
Cox is doing ok under difficult circumstances and after standing behind the stumps all day yesterday.
Have we finally found a reliable No.3 at last, it’s been a long time since Trott tied that position down.
Root clean bowled ……..off a no-ball.
Great start to England’s run chase both openers gone for ducks. 35 for 2.
https://x.com/PulseSportsNG/status/2098403027325428154?s=20
😂
Good morning Rico, Kev, Potter, we just have to beat whoever the opposition is, regard of the officials in charge.
According to an article in this morning’s Telegraph, Declan Rice has been repositioned as the defensive midfielder in front of the back four. Apparently we will see less of him in advanced positions. Could cut down his workload a bit.
Morning to you both and all.
An exciting start to my day through a CT scanner.. 😂
Tricky fixture I think. He was Kev but he still had a lot of good words for our German Peter Crouch. Lol
The Brobbey Konsa battle should be good, Ballard on set pieces is a pain in the butt.
Nice preview there Rico and good morning to you and the gang.
Interesting that Arteta was highlighting your mate Havertz, I think Rico that he was responding to a question but we didn’t have Kai last season and Konsa is just as robust as Brobbery so that battle should be interesting. Sunderland had a League Cup game midweek so they won’t be as rested as we imagined.
Arteta never forgets, he won’t forget that late equaliser from last season, he learns from previous results so I’m looking forward to this game…
That pretty much indicates that big Vik is on the bench again unless it’s a double bluff.
With Havertz’s ability to hit the floor and Ballard’s propensity to elbows and physicality it will be interesting to see where Brook’s sympathies lie.
Remembering last season I had this down as our first banana skin of the season It will not be easy , we may nrrd to look at strength in the midfield . As much as I love Lewis Skelly it might be the game to see Bruno and Rice together.