Arsenal Tie Sunderland: Goal Difference Flashes as Potential Title-Decider

The Match

A heavy defeat in the Carling Cup final might have struck a serious blow to the spirits of the Arsenal players, but a draw against Sunderland at the Emirates is not as bad as it seems.

You might even say it’s good.

The draw ate one of the four points with which Arsenal was trailing behind Manchester United, and now they are standing a victory away from them.

Arsene Wenger’s men faced the difficult task of picking themselves up against a team that has enormously improved this season. Sunderland’s successes have been claiming the scalps of Chelsea, Aston Villa and Manchester City, along with holding Manchester United to a draw at their own Stadium of Light. The fact they sat eighth in the Premier League hinted of a difficult opponent.

The Black Cats’ manager came out with a cautious 4-5-1, but it soon was evident that Wenger has mirrored his tactic. Ten players in midfield ensured the battle will be fought predominantly there.

The first half was a tactical familiarizing and searching for rhythm.

Nicklas Bendtner came closer than anyone else in the first half to open the scoring but his scissor kick amidst chaos, following a corner, sent the ball straight into the keeper’s hands.

In the second half, Arsenal assumed their familiar dominating position, but Sunderland defended just as well as they were executing flow-interrupting pressure in midfield.

Still, the Gunners dug out several chances to score.

First, Samir Nasri placed a dangerous spinning ball from a free-kick which forced Simon Mignolet to make a terrific one-handed save, and then substitute Maroune Chamakh failed to utilize what is supposed to be his biggest strength, aerial balls, sending the leather sphere into the bar.

A bit later, a push on the back from Titus Brumble on Andrei Arshavin inside the box turned everyone’s head towards the referee Anthony Taylor in expectation, but he was unimpressed.

Several minutes later, Anthony Taylor’s assistant followed suit and waved off-side for a perfectly legit goal yet again by the unlucky Arshavin.  

Sunderland had their chances to snatch all the points away through Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson near the end but the result remained a stalemate: 0-0.

How the Result Affects the Title Race

Having suffered four consecutive defeats, Steve Bruce’s side were desperate to get away with a point from Emirates—and their splendid defensive organisation did exactly that.

A point for Sunderland; two lost for Arsenal.

Many would blame Arsenal for not seizing their chance to gain on Manchester United with both hands. But, the truth is, as things stand, the Gunners are still on the driving seat.

Just three points separate the top two teams in England, but both of them have some decisive fixtures left before Premier League’s curtains close this year.

The Red Devils will have to face and overcome Liverpool away from home, Chelsea at home and Arsenal away, to prove worthy of being called absolute kings of the Premier League.

The Gunners’ most difficult encounters, on the other hand, will be against Liverpool at home, their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur away and Manchester Untied at home. And they are hungrier than ever.

The pressure is mounting as every mistake has the potential to turn the tides.

In one of the scenarios, goal difference will play an important role.

In case the Gunners win all their remaining games, and United win all their games but the Arsenal one, the title-challengers will be tied point-wise. That, of course, underlines the importance of the goal difference.

Despite playing in what seems to be one of the most unpredictable seasons, from now to the final minute of the season, Wenger’s men will probably be aware that every goal will count.

Statistically, the top two have the best attacks in the Premier League at the moment and two of the best defences barring the Manchester City and Chelsea ones.

It’s that time of the season when all teams are beginning to feel drained from a gruellingly long season and injuries stalk in every match.

Arsenal has suffered from injuries to key players, but they look to be in a better situation than last year.

Still, the absence of Tomas Vermaelen, and the recent ones of Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott could have the potential of damaging Arsenal’s title aspirations.

Cesc Fabregas has also been missed in a number of point-dropping games, but he is set to return soon and hopefully for the Gunners will remain fit for the rest of the season, providing those vital assists that his team-mates desperately need.

In the United camp, they will be more worried about their current defensive lapse.

What’s worrying now for Alex Ferguson is he won’t have at his disposal his defensive rocks Nemanja Vidic, who will be suspended, and Rio Ferdinand for the game against Liverpool. On top of that, the substitute defender Johnny Evans will be missing the game too.

But despite the current problems, offensive or defensive, both teams have the capability of going all the way.

While Arsenal will, of course, be hoping for others to cut their work short for them, they still have all to do it themselves.

Picking up the calculator so close to the end of an exciting season, shows goal difference will also play a role—a psychological one in the least.