But a much improved performance will surely be required if Arsenal are to get the high-scoring victory they require at Olympiakos on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Allardyce said he is willing to test the stability of their established friendship by asking to take one of his players on loan when the window re-opens at the turn of the year. It’s the best performance I’ve seen since I’ve been at the club. Please note that comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language and will be removed accordingly.
Sam Allardyce says Sunderland could have scored “two or three” goals at Arsenal but for the absence of “natural finisher” Jermain Defoe who, he confirmed, will be available for Saturday’s game against Watford.
“Arsenal were a bit jittery at times and we had the opportunity to punish them”.
That goal, on the stroke of half-time, marked the third match in succession Arsenal had let slip a lead.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his relief after his team ended a run of three Premier League games without a win by overcoming Sunderland 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. “I thought we played well but we just didn’t take our chances and to come away having lost 3-1 after creating those chances is disappointing”.
Arsenal’s back four looked distinctly shaky during the opening stages, while up front the home side were also lacking in fluency, but when they did click, it culminated in the opening goal.
“It was not flawless, of course, but the team has shown mental strength because we scored an own goal just before half time, but we have recovered to win the game. I was more nervous today as I knew it was a very important game to our season”. I think that Arsenal will win this match but I don’t think that the win will be massive.
Sunderland: (5-4-1) Pantilimon; Yedlin, Coates, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Borini (Johnson, 66), M’Vila, Toivonen (Rodwell, 62), Watmore; Fletcher (Lens, 73).
Advertisement
With the possibility of topping the Premier League table with a win at home against 17th place Sunderland, Arsenal went out looking for an early lead with many of their injured stars sitting out. “Because we didn’t punish them, as always at this level of football, you pay the price and we paid the price on Saturday”.
