Arsenal EPL News: Arsene Wenger Frustrated by Opening Round Draw

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has commented on his side's scoreless draw against Sunderland in the opening round of the 2012-13 English Premier League season—labeling it frustrating to watch and admitting it lacked the cutting edge required to win football games.

Speaking via Arsenal's official website, the veteran manager conceded that life without Robin van Persie will take time to adjust to and that despite their star signings this summer, the Gunners did lack fluidity in attack—especially in the final third—and should have done better with the opportunities that they did create against the Black Cats.

Per Arsenal.com:

"

We played with a good spirit, were serious and we put the effort in, but we lacked sharpness and fluency at the moment to be dangerous in the final third. The few chances we had, we could not convert them.

Sunderland defended very well for the whole game, and we lacked something—sharpness, also quality and accuracy in the final pass.

The formula didn't work with three strikers up front and we were not well balanced; we did not create enough because they blocked our midfield.

"

The Gunners were no doubt the better side for many observers during the match—dominating the statistics in both possession and attacking chances. 

In fact, the North London club had more shots than any other team on the opening day of the English Premier League, yet could not find the back of the net on any of their attempts (per The Guardian).

Summer signing Santi Cazorla was particularly strong for the Gunners in his debut match and promises to be one of the top midfield players in the Premier League if his opening round performance is anything to go by.

His addition—along with Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, has meant that Arsenal do have the attacking talent in their lineup and that goals will flow throughout the course of the season. Having said that, Arsenal do need to figure out how to create the required attacking cohesion in their side sooner rather than later.

The Gunners were playing catch-up all season after a poor start last year—winning just two of their first seven games—and are  desperate to avoid making a similar slow start again this season (per SoccerStats.com).

Arsenal's next match is away to Stoke City on August 26.

What did you make of Arsenal's season opener vs. Sunderland?

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