"In a way, this was the platonic ideal of Mikel Arteta's football. Not a huge amount happened but most of what did was in or around the Sunderland box. It was bitty, stop-start, built around set plays and devoid of much in the way of imagination or spontaneity. Coaches obsessed by pressing patterns probably loved it, but it will not live long in the wider collective memory."
"For a long time the game seemed in danger of being mutually respected out of existence, both teams watching, probing warily, even if in the end Arsenal's probing proved far more dangerous. For a long time there were only flickers, splutters and glimmers of Arsenal intent. Kai Havertz, preferred to Viktor Gyokeres, headed a decent chance wide in the first minute. Trai Hume sliced a Noni Madueke cross over his own bar. Declan Rice slashed a drive a fraction wide."
Arsenal beat Sunderland comfortably despite an unremarkable performance, extending their lead at the top to nine points. The game was bitty and stop-start, dominated by set plays and action concentrated around Sunderland's box, reflecting Mikel Arteta's structured approach. Both teams probed cautiously for long stretches, with Arsenal's probing proving more dangerous. Early chances involved Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice, but the match lacked the sustained pressure seen in previous fixtures. Sunderland defended resolutely, yet a rare slip from Omar Alderete allowed Martin Zubimendi to score from Leandro Trossard's pass before half-time.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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