EPL Review: 8 Things Fans Learned from Arsenal vs. Sunderland

Arsenal 2 (Robin van Persie 1,83)-Sunderland 1 (Sebastien Larsson, 31)

Arsenal secured just their third win of the 2011/2012 English Premier League season and were able to alleviate a monumental amount of intensifying pressure with a 2-1 victory against Sunderland at the Emirates. It came down to pure class from Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, who secured both the Gunners' goals, the winner a majestic free kick.

It was much the same story for Arsene Wenger's men, and fans can be forgiven for feeling deja vu. It took the North London giants under a minute to open the scoring when Gervinho broke away and found Robin van Persie, who calmly scored. As always, the Gunners boasted possession, created opportunities and had Sunderland on the back foot.

However, as always, Arsenal failed to capitalize on their possession dominance and opportunities, and Sunderland found the equalizer. Former Arsenal ace Sebastien Larsson showed amazing touch with a phenomenal free kick just after the half hour.

The Gunners, as expected, became on the back foot, and the Black Cats began to grow in confidence and began to launch attacks of their own. However, after the main interval, it was Arsenal who regained their dominance, and possession slowly became all Arsenal.

Steve Bruce's men tried tirelessly to contain the Gunners with physical defending and needless fouls but eventually, Arsene Wenger's men were rewarded when van Persie was fouled on the edge of the box and had no such restrictions in converting the free kick.

Arsenal survive, for now.

8. An Inform Andrei Arshavin Could Be Potentially Devastating

Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin was introduced into the encounter at the 68th minute, and the Russian dynamo enforced a terrific energy and liveliness to the Arsenal attack. It was epitomized with an impressive run and quick feet to evade a host of Sunderland defenders before his finish narrowly missed.

It was just a short cameo, but it helped remind Arsenal fans just what the 30-year-old is capable of. There is no denying the £15 million 2009 signing has lacked form in recent months, and the Arsenal fans have endured mass frustrations with the former Zenit Saint-Petersburg forward, which coinsided with the Gunners' lengthy demise.

However, the Russian captain is a class act, and with confidence and form, can regain his spirit of 2009/2010, where Arshavin tormented defenders with ease. Arshavin has vowed to improve for the Gunners' and if the dynamo can, then defenders must be wary.

7. What Did Theo Walcott Do and Where Was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?

Theo Walcott has devastating pace. Currently, it is hard to find any more praise for the English winger. Since joining Arsenal in 2006 as a hugely rated teenager from Southampton for £9 million, Arsenal fans have been wowed by the 22-year-old's sheer pace. However, it has failed to become a enhanced threat an advantage for the Gunners, as the England international has trouble sufficiently influencing proceedings at times alongside lacking efficiency in terms of crossing and finishing.

There is no denying Walcott has improved in recent years. Last season, the winger recorded 13 goals in 38 appearances alongside enduring routine injury complaints. However, Walcott was simply non-existent for the Gunners yesterday, and it was difficult to recall just what the Englishman produced that was positive for Arsene Wenger.

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who arrived this summer from Southampton for £15 million following a hugely successful 2010/2011, failed to make the bench for the encounter. The 18-year-old, who has scored on both his two starts for the Gunners, was returning from a superb display with the England U-21 side, where the dynamo netted a hat trick.

Wenger has stressed the importance of not over using or over exposing Chamberlain, but there is  no denying the teenager has talent is severely more developed than Walcott at 18. Unless Walcott can improve, Wenger must begin to utilize Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

6. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker Can Form a Monumental Partnership

Sunderland did not exactly hammer the Arsenal defence with attack after attack, but nonetheless, it was a composed, assured performance by centre halves Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Arsenal's notorious Achilles heel, the central defence, looked like one that is capable of making the English Premier League Top Four.

Koscielny has the speed and the tenacity, whilst Mertesacker brings the strength, composure and 6'6" aerial threat and security. The duo looked comfortable amongst one another, and it is highly likely the pair will play the majority of central defensive football this term.

Defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen, though outstanding, is immensely fragile and can hardly be relied upon. Meanwhile, Johan Djourou is a solid deputy but lacks the quality and efficiency to play week in week out. Teenager Ignasi Miquel is developing rapidly but still lacks experience and composure. Veteran Sebastien Squillaci is necessary for emergencies.

Koscielny and Mertesacker have the ability to form one of the best defensive partnerships in the Premier League, it will just take time and consistency, and the eradication of the offside trap.

5. Tomas Rosicky Brings More Flair and Creativity Than Aaron Ramsey

It was not just Robin van Persie's brilliance that captivated the Arsenal fans. The Czech playmaker, drafted in for Wales captain Aaron Ramsey to the Gunners midfield, produced a sparkling, energetic performance that gave the Arsenal attack a sense of flair and fluency that has evidently lacked since the season began.

Rosicky, once one of Europe's most creative playmakers, has struggled for form since a severe knee injury in 2008. The 31-year-old missed the entire 2008/2009 due to the injury and has since endured criticism for his lack of form and energy, particularly last season.

However, against the Black Cats, Rosicky was superb and reminded the Gunners fans of his displays during 2006/2007. Ramsey, on the other hand, has become a dull, disappointing presence in the Arsenal midfield.

Signified as the best replacement for the departed Cesc Fabregas, the 21-year-old has failed to enforce his presence to the Premier League since this campaign began. To be fair, the Welshman had his rapid development curtailed in February 2010 after a horrific leg break against Stoke City, but it appears Tomas Rosicky may be a better option. For now.

4. Gervinho Can Be a Force in the Premier League If He Learns to Shoot

The title may be misleading. Ivorian forward Gervinho indeed does know how to shoot; after all, last season, the 24-year-old boasted 18 goals in 53 appearances for French champions OSC Lille before joining Arsenal this Summer for £10.5 million.

However, the Ivory Coast international has failed to capitalize on chances due to his inability to calmly finish. Gervinho is such a threat with the ball at his feet, and his ability to evade defenders with ease is admirable. Furthermore, unlike Walcott, the Ivorian possess an incisive cross. However, the sharp shooter has endured poor shooting, but once that issue is resolved, Gervinho will be a force.

3. Wojciech Szczesny Could Be the Best Keeper in the English Premier League

As previously stated, Sunderland hardly pressurized Arsenal with fluent attacks, but Steve Bruce's men still created chances to win the match. The Gunners' shot stopper Wojciech Szczesny could do little to prevent the Sunderland goal, but when called upon, the Polish keeper delivered.

A sublime effort to deny a certain Lee Cattermole goal was arguably the highlight of the Poland international's afternoon. It signified the continuation of the 21-year-old's rich vein of form since the 2011/2012 began and furthermore, that Arsenal officially really do not possess a goalkeeper conundrum.

At such a tender age, Szczesny still has much development to complete, but already, the youngster is mature, composed and a natural leader. Quite frankly, Wojciech Szczesny could be the best keeper in England.

2. Robin Van Persie Can Score from Free Kicks

Robin van Persie scores lots of goals, 102 for Arsenal to be precise, and whilst they may arise from all sorts of angles and from all sorts of distances, in recent seasons, his lethal left foot has failed from the free kick zone.

Arsenal fans have grown acustomed to witness the Dutchman's free kicks smash into the wall or surge into the crowd, ocassionally thundering against the post. However, when it mattered, the 28-year-old delivered. Didn't the fans just love it?

1. Robin Van Persie Contract Extension Must Become Priority for Arsene Wenger

The Arsenal captain lead from the front and was superb. However despite his brilliance, there is still the lingering fact for Arsenal fans that the Dutchman's contract expires in 2013 and Arsene Wenger must secure a contract extension for his fearless leader.

After the trauma of the recent Summer with Samir Nasri's contract dispute, Wenger can ill afford to lose Robin van Persie. The 28-year-old has expressed a desire to move, according to papers whilst reports have also emerged the Holland international is happy at the Emirates.

Nonetheless, Arsene Wenger must retain Robin van Persie.