Arsenal reality check: Podolski with, not for RVP

Giroud misses sitter as Gunners draw with Sunderland

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  • Staff
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Lukas Podolski is likely to give more teeth to Arsenal. (FILE)

The spectre of Robin Van Persie claimed its first victim – Olivier Giroud.

Presented with an open goal, one of the strikers brought in to replace Van Persie, crumbled under the pressure and skied the ball, when it was easier to score.

Arsenal saw many of the jigsaw pieces fall in to place – only it seemed like it was on the wrong board.

It is early in the season, however, the reality that Lukas Podolski was needed with Van Persie, not in place of him, will haunt the Gunners.

As Sunderland hung in for a brave draw, Arsene Wenger can take many positives from the game.

The re-invention Gervinho, by some distance the best player on the pitch.

The smooth passing of Santi Cazorla clearly banishing the Cesc Fabregas hang over.

The return of Mikel Arteta, who along with Abu Diaby, more than made up for the missing Alex Song.

However, on the flip side, Theo Walcott impressed but did not score – on old tale at the Emirates.

Arsenal have a promising side – but on this evidence, not one that is likely to win a trophy.
 

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Comments

  • imraan 19 August 2012 11:03 4 0
    its just one game man.. and the world class striker as you all say robin van persie as well missed hell lot of chances at arsenal.. remember the chip that he was trying to do in the champions league game vs milan from 5 yards? but he was not questioned coz he was a one man team. right? dont compare the new signings with him.. atleast give the lads some time to get together and adjust.. that dutch donkey took 5-6 years to settle..
  • Sam 19 August 2012 10:29 4 1
    Its one game out of 38 games. Teams who have won the premier league do get draws also.
  • Cam 19 August 2012 10:25 5 0
    Gervinho was not the best player on the pitch, it was eother Arteta or Cazorla. Secondly, Giroud's shot was not 'skied' it was merely wide rather than high.
  • Oluyemi 19 August 2012 09:46 3 0
    the league just started.... Its not polite for anyone to judge now. With time they will adapt.
  • Goonergerry 19 August 2012 09:15 5 0
    What rubbish- written as if Van Persie never missed-He missed plenty- especially on his right foot- yes last year as well. Strikers do miss and it wasnt an easy chance. Get off his back.
  • nick 18 August 2012 20:19 6 0
    giroud just played less than half an hour in his first game in English football. you forget how bad van persie was when he joined eight years ago? how many did Henry or Bergkamp score on their debut?

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  Team P W D L GD PTS
1 = Man Utd 38 28 5 5 43 89
2 = Man City 38 23 9 6 32 78
3 = Chelsea 38 22 9 7 36 75
4 = Arsenal 38 21 10 7 35 73
5 = Tottenham 38 21 9 8 20 72
6 = Everton 38 16 15 7 15 63
7 = Liverpool 38 16 13 9 28 61
8 = West Brom 38 14 7 17 -4 49
9 = Swansea 38 11 13 14 -4 46
10 = West Ham 38 12 10 16 -8 46
11 = Norwich 38 10 14 14 -17 44
12 = Fulham 38 11 10 17 -10 43
13 = Stoke 38 9 15 14 -11 42
14 = Southampton 38 9 14 15 -11 41
15 = Aston Villa 38 10 11 17 -22 41
16 = Newcastle 38 11 8 19 -23 41
17 = Sunderland 38 9 12 17 -13 39
18 = Wigan 38 9 9 20 -26 36
19 = Reading 38 6 10 22 -30 28
20 = QPR 38 4 13 21 -30 25

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