Arsenal Dogged by Familiar Problems in Sunderland Draw, but All Is Not Lost

Another opening day, another disappointing scoreless draw.

Another captain out the transfer door, another vital midfielder off to Catalonia.

So now that we've had another day to think about all of it, how do we feel?

In a word: familiar. In four words: depressingly and distressingly familiar.

A year ago, as Arsenal labored to a scoreless draw away to Newcastle on opening day, the feeling among Gooners was one of looming doom. Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri had one foot out the door, Champions League qualification hinged on a tricky two-legged tie against Udinese and Arsene Wenger had yet to fully strengthen the squad with summer signings.

A day ago, Arsenal labored to another scoreless draw on opening day, this time at home to Sunderland. This time the doom had already arrived and in place of the usual season-opening anticipation and optimism we tasted a deep malaise seasoned with the unmistakable flavor of angst.

He Who Must Not Be Named was already gone, off to the worst place he possibly could have gone. With sorrow still searing, Alex Song was revealed to be on the verge too, set to join a club that prompts a reaction only slightly less visceral among Gooners.

On the pitch, meanwhile, Wenger had already strengthened the squad considerably, bringing in Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud. And thanks to those moves, the opener wasn't entirely without promise.

Cazorla shined throughout, spraying passes around the pitch and dictating the tempo of play, and both Giroud and Podolski produced encouraging moments. But Giroud missed a golden second-half chance and Podolski failed to fully assert himself throughout his time on the pitch.

So when the final whistle blew and the predictable had become reality, all the clenched jaws, pursed lips and wry half-smiles around the Emirates seemed to be saying pretty much the same thing:

Not so much "we're in trouble," as "told you so."

The moment Van Persie released his "update for the fans" back in July, Gooners everywhere knew the 2012-13 season was going to be a tough one. Paired with the new signings, RvP's goals could have made Arsenal an outside contender for the title. But without the Dutch captain leading the line, it was hard to see where the goals would come from.

And with Song heading for Barcelona to rejoin former teammate Fabregas in Catalonia, those same doubts must be applied to the production and manufacturing of those goals as well.

Of those who have remained, the same old questions still apply.

Theo Walcott still sped and sizzled up and down the flank, but he also continued to show the footballing IQ of a hubcap. Gervinho, meanwhile, again dazzled defenders with dangerous dribbling, but he also showed no improvement in delivering the all-important final ball.

Thomas Vermalen—the correct choice as new captain—partnered Per Mertesacker admirably, but James McClean did manage to find space between them in the first half.

Still, for all the malaise and all the questions raised by Saturday's scoreless draw, some hope should remain.

Arsenal dominated possession and for the most post prevented Sunderland from threatening Wojciech Szczesny's goal.

More importantly, Cazorla's performance delivered almost everything—apart from assists, of course—that Gooners could have wanted.

And perhaps most importantly of all, one legitimately could argue that Arsenal's greatest on-pitch problem was one of unfamiliarity. In other words, once (or if) the pieces grasp exactly how they fit together, scoreless draws like Saturday's could easily turn into 2-0 and 3-0 victories.

For now, though, that's only a dream.

For now, Arsenal have scoring problems and, if results play out as expected, will already trail Chelsea, Manchester City and—this one really hurts even more now—Manchester United in the table by Monday evening.

But take heart, Gooners. All is not lost.

The North London gap remains intact, and at least we're not Liverpool.

Follow @MikeCummings37