The second half was a little better as Sunderland finally came out  to play and the game opened up, indeed Arsenal’s defence took quite a hammering, so when the Cats scored on 70 minutes I feared the worst as up to then Arsenal’s attacking had been lacklustre. There was a freaky air to the Sunderland goal that came about due to Mertesacker twisting his ankle. It was however an excellent finish from an acute angle.

Just before Sunderland’s goal Alex Oxlade Chamberlain had been substituted by Henry, nobody booed as the Ox had quite clearly tired. O’Neil had ensured that the life was squeezed out of him with double marking. Meanwhile it was Ramsey who had substituted for Mertesacker that scored the equaliser. Arsenal had tried almost everything to score and failed, perhaps it just shows that if you try a long shot you might even score.

With four minutes to go Arshavin replaced Walcott, one or two people in the pub grumbled, but Theo had not been at all incisive. Perhaps O’Neil had read how badly the Russian was playing as the two players marking him backed off allowing him to cross the ball to Henry who beat the Sunderland defence to the ball, to secure an added time victory. It was a quality cross and a superb finish.

Take that O'Neil

It was great to watch Henry run around hoofing the ball out of danger areas, and playing for time to ensure that the victory and three points were protected.

It might not have been the most stylish victory ever, but Arsenal being the first team to defeat O’Neil on his return to the Premiership was most satisfying. Even more satisfying was that Liverpool and Chelsea both lost ensuring that Arsenal finally returned to 4^th place.

Arsenal fans had waited over a month for a league victory and then two came along all at once.

It was the Subs that won it

A few weeks back many Arsenal fans, including me, believed that Wenger’s poor use of substitutions cost the game against Manchester United, this time his substitutions clearly won the game. Unfortunately Henry won’t be around the next time Arsenal need an urgent change of fortune in the league.

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Its Subs That Won It Arshavin & Henry Combine to Sink Cats

Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)

Date: 11/02/2012 19:33

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:16:00:11:43 by Padre Pio.

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Re: Its Subs That Won It Arshavin & Henry Combine to Sink Cats

Posted by: eduardo (IP Logged)

Date: 11/02/2012 19:45

gervinho will be back by then

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*50 years and counting

forever in our shadow*

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Re: Its Subs That Won It Arshavin & Henry Combine to Sink Cats

Posted by: weedz (IP Logged)

Date: 11/02/2012 20:16

Good read Padre. It`s a nice change from `We`re definately not going to be in the CL next season.` To `Well maybe.`

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Re: Its Subs That Won It Arshavin & Henry Combine to Sink Cats

Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)

Date: 11/02/2012 20:27

Yes Eddy we will be able to depend on Gervinho if we need an urgent goal

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The game is about Glory. It is about doing things in style with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom".
Danny Blanchflower

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Re: Its Subs That Won It Arshavin & Henry Combine to Sink Cats

Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)

Date: 12/02/2012 17:30

i for one didn't imagine that we will get 3 points from this game..when the black cats scored, i was about to switch off the TV as i felt it's the same old same old.. the time it took me to strut along to the TV we equalized & that got me hanging on just in case something different happens..

it's a shame that i feel this won't last cos we will be back to dr.hyde & jykell once again..you never know which will turn up

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GUNNERS 4 LIFE!!

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Re: Its Subs That Won It Arshavin & Henry Combine to Sink Cats

Posted by: Mad Jens (IP Logged)

Date: 12/02/2012 20:32

I'd pretty luke warm on Ramsey and don't have a great opinion of Arshavin but credit where credit's due - they really did pull us out of the fire.

Henry... what can you say? At the current rate you wonder if Robin's worried about his place in the side...

Haha ok well maybe not that, but damn hasn't he been effective. Seems to me our players give just that little extra when he comes on the field, too.

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