Morning guys. It feels great to be back on the beat after what seems a lifetime since i posted. The international break began on the back of that delicious win over Spurs and since then you'll agree with me things have been quite rosy in camp Arsenal. In that space of two weeks we've climbed back from 17th to a more dignified 4th place,the small matter of Mesut Ozil has happened,and the fans are once again finding a bit of pride talking about the affairs of their darling team. The summer transfer doom and gloom has been put aside at least for the next 4months and instead the collective resolve to give this team the kind of support it needs to succeed has assumed the front burner.
However there will be no Honeymoon for Ozil in this marraige, as he faces the real possibility of being thrown amongst enemy lines at Sunderland this weekend. Ideally the smarter move would be to ease him in via a gradual process (i.e) Sub appearances in this game, then another and then maybe a full start later. But the unfortunate, yet not unexpected knock to Rosicky means that plan is impossible. Wenger would have liked Mesut to watch the game unfold from the bench and use his own game intelligence to do critical analysis of how he can come in and do damage. In any case, quality players will always show their class no matter what and it is my feeling Mesut will be no different. Kanu did it, Pires also, ditto for Overmars, Bergkamp and Henry. All brought from foreign leagues but as soon as they came into english football, they showed their remarkable abilities.
So on to our opponents, Sunderland have had a topsy turvy 2013 by many ramifications. They survived a real relegation scare by the skin of their teeth when fiery manager Di canio replaced Martin o'neal and triggered off an inspiring rennaisance. However this season has begun on a rather less inspiring note. Two defeats and a draw at home to Southampton,which was a game they should've won has left the Black cats at the bottom of the table. Di canio has added Borini on-loan from Liverpool and american striker Jozy Altidore to beef up his attack but also surprisingly sold dangerous forward Sessegnon in what was one the shocks of the summer. Confidence definitely isn't high at the stadium of light and few of the fans believe its worth turning up at all as evident from the news that tickets for the game are still available. I am one of those that believe Di canio saved the club from sure relegation which Martin O' neal was certainly leading them to last season. Its not news that he knows how to light fire in the belly of No-hopers to overachieve but even that has its boundaries as seen from their league position this term. However its the EPL, and in this league you can very easily get your pants pulled down if you aren't careful. It will behove on us to go there with the right measure of confidence, respect and attitude to ensure we maintain this good run we are currently in.
Team news shows the cheering revelation that no star player other than Rosicky will be absent, as every one else seems to have come out of their relative national team outings ok. Vermaelen is back in the fold and others are just light knocks away. So we go in to the game in decent shape to bag yet more three points. Here's hoping we can compound Di-canios predicament and cause his hairline to recede evermore lightly. Three points it is and you can be sure this new buzz around the place will continue. Later
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