Arsenal a one-man band
Yet rarely has it felt more true than now. With the summer departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and with Jack Wilshere injured, the responsibility falls on Robin Van Persie’s shoulders. Fortunately for both Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, the Dutchman appears able to handle such pressure.
This game was ultimately decided by one man, and Arsenal’s season will be defined by whether they can convince the 28-year-old to sign a new contract at the club before the summer.
Without him and the injured duo of Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen, this team appears no better than top-eight. With Van Persie in full flow, a Champions League position is not out of the question.
Yet the misgivings are already there. In his programme notes, Van Persie reiterated his ‘‘commitment’’ to the club, but crucially did not touch on whether he would sign a new deal to replace the one that expires in the summer of 2013.
And the qualities that would drive the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona into a bidding war for his services if he were available were fully evident at the Emirates yesterday.
They included a goal after 29 seconds – Arsenal’s fastest in the Premier League – a virtuoso 25 minute display that saw him within inches of a goal of the season contender, and then a sumptuous free-kick to win the game with eight minutes left. It really was the consummate display.
But what will worry the hosts is that, having dominated for much of the first-half, they were so poor defensively once again. Having dominated, they demonstrated why they had made their worst start to a season in 58 years, allowing Sunderland to equalise through Sebastien Larsson’s stunning free-kick before nearly falling behind.
Wojciech Szczesny then produced a miraculous save from Lee Cattermole, but this Arsenal team are not made of strong stuff. They won thanks to Van Persie, but Sunderland will know they should be further clear of the relegation zone, which they are now outside of on goal difference alone.
That they are not is down almost entirely to Van Persie. He made his mark early, taking Gervinho’s pass in his stride before shooting low past Simon Mignolet with less than half a minute on the clock.
He nearly added an even better second, chipping the goalkeeper with his weaker right foot, with the ball bouncing along the line before being cleared to safety.
Yet Arsenal sat back and failed to push home their advantage. They were made to pay when Mikel Arteta handled some 25 yards out and Larsson curled into the top corner, a glorious goal which he refused to celebrate against his former club.
And then – nothing. There was no response from Arsenal, no fightback.
Instead, Sunderland dominated until the interval. They could not have come much closer to taking the lead when Stephan Sessegnon took advantage of a slip by Carl Jenkinson to curl the ball towards the far post, where the unmarked Cattermole seemed certain to score, only for Szczesny to somehow get from one post to the other in a blink of the eye to deny him.
It was, as Bruce admitted after the game, a decisive moment. But Sunderland still appeared good value for a draw. Arsenal’s attacking play lacked incision but Sunderland did not factor in Van Persie as the Dutchman proved decisive.
It was a poor challenge by Wes Brown that led to the goal, the former Manchester United man lunging in on Van Persie. But the finish was still superb, a dipping, curling free-kick that gave Mignolet no chance. Van Persie celebrated forcefully, whipping his top off and twirling it around his head.
Yet the fact remains that he was celebrating a goal that has just lifted his side into the top half of the Premier League, still some distance off a Champions League spot. A player of Van Persie’s class deserves more. It is up to Arsenal to provide it, or their one-man team could become a no-man team.
After 27 seconds, Robin Van Persie received the ball from Gervinho. With Wes Brown standing off him, the striker fired into the bottom corner. With eight minutes left, Van Persie turned sharply on the edge of the box, drawing the foul from Brown. The striker picked himself up before scoring with a delicious free-kick. Ultimately, this game was decided in that duel.
Arsenal fans will simply be wondering what on earth they would do without Robin Van Persie. Sunderland produced a spirited display, although there was barely any cutting edge.
Robin van Persie (Arsenal): Produced an outstanding opening 20 minutes, and then fired in the decisive free-kick.
Howard Webb had a quiet afternoon, although he issued five yellow cards at the start of the second-half.
John O’Shea started sluggishly but steadily improved.
Arsenal head to Marseille on Wednesday, and then host Stoke on Sunday. Sunderland head to Bolton.
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Julian Bennetts
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