O’Neill – Arsenal will be happy we went to extra time!
The Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill saw his team held until the 113th minute last night before Stephan Sessegnon scored the winner against Middlesbrough, setting up two home games against Arsenal in the space of a week.
This weekend will see a League clash at the Stadium of light, and O’Neill thinks that Arsenal will be happy that Sunderland had to play extra time last night while Arsenal have been resting since last weeks destruction of Blackburn.
O’Neill said: “I thought Middlesbrough played very well at our place and I thought this game was going to be hard and so it proved to be,”
“Over the two games, I haven’t been surprised by Middlesbrough but I am going to stick up for my side, I thought we were the better side.
“It was an exciting enough tie, without there being many clear-cut chances being created. Jack Colback scored a terrific goal and he was brilliant for us, Phil Bardsley was brilliant and Craig Gardner was terrific as well.”
“Arsenal will be pretty pleased that we have gone into extra time and we will try to get ourselves ready for the league game on Saturday and the cup game will take care of itself the week after.”
Another bit of good news (for Arsenal!) is that the match-winner Sessegnon was taken off injured, and O’Neill hopes that he won’t miss this weekends game. He said: “Stephane picked up a knock at the end and came off and we are hoping it is just cramp and that he does not miss out because he has not missed a game for us this year which is sensational,”
“I think that Stephane is an outstanding player and I am delighted that we have him. He is really great and he hasn’t missed a game this season. That is outstanding and I hope that he does not miss any and that it is just cramp and nothing else.”
The following weekend’s meeting in the FA Cup could have a different complexion considering that Arsenal will be playing in a midweek game (away at Milan) while Sunderland rest, so that could have a different bearing on the team selection.
One thing is for sure, Sunderland are proving extremely difficult to beat since O’Neill took over and both games will be a serious test for Arsenal. Hopefully a win over a tired Sunderland this wekend could give Arsenal the confidence to follow that up a week later…..
Trackback: trackback from your own site.
COMMENTS GUIDELINES: ANY COMMENTS WITH SWEARING OR PERSONAL ABUSE WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT EXCEPTION: PLEASE DISCUSS THE SUBJECT IN A FREINDLY AND OBJECTIVE MANNER. SERIAL ABUSERS WILL BE BANNED. PLEASE BE NICE TO YOUR FELLOW GOONERS!
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
3 
31
I say: play the best 11 in every match until end of season! Nothing left to lose. Every game is like a cup final! If one player gets injured, he’ll be replaced by the next player in pecking order!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
33 
7
calling walcott walcrap? you are pathetic…
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
57 
3
i have a bad feeling about this week game against sunderland… Especially when we are leading 1 -0.. There always be a heart broken moment..
Opinions divided. What do you think?
3 
10
I support Zak, we need to beat the black cat a minimum of 3.0, no joke with the match. By onday every supporter will be wishing an extend of man Wenger contract. Great sorry for our players having five yellow cards.
Mombasa, Kenya.
Rate this comment:
5 
2
ACN final Sunday and then we’ll have Gervinho back so we can rotate our wingers for Milan and Sunderland in the FA cup. RVP needs to play Sat and against Milan. My only concern is if Arteta can play all three because we have no cover for him. The rest we have players to alternate and Gibbs could be back too.
Rate this comment:
7 
0
If we are to make it to the top four, we seriously need to this game, infact a must win game for us. let the coach select the squard for the game we ‘ll be behind him to cheer them to victory come sarturday.
Rate this comment:
7 
0
@jason derulo
sory dude.*typo. it is walcott
Opinions divided. What do you think?
2 
10
Have to win every game from now or transfer window will be another bore as players will not want to join us if not in Top 4 ordon’nt progress in CL or FA cup.
GO GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!!
Rate this comment:
1 
0
Honestly, the situation we find ourselves is critical so I really do not know why we should be talking about resting this and that player. Every game should be seen as a cup final – play the best 11. Someone gets injured in the process , we play the next in the pecking order. That is the only way we can survive this season.
Rate this comment:
4 
0
You must admit it’s a bit of a joke.
The arsenal of old meant terror for other clubs now they are claiming it will be harder for them to spank us because they are tired.
How times have changed.
Rate this comment:
3 
1
sure he is also happy that while The Arsenal will be travelling to Italy in mid week, his boys will be resting. hope we win them all three matches starting from Sunday.
Rate this comment:
5 
0
Tell o’neil that we dont care if they lasted only 30 mins.all we know is that (www) we will win in d two meetings against his team.
Rate this comment:
4 
0
we gunner beat them come saturday.the boys are ready mentally rigth now….PUSH ANY OBSTACLE DOWN !!!!!!
Rate this comment:
2 
0
I Hate Sunderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rate this comment:
2 
0
Don’t underestimate any team managed by Martin O’Neil – this guy’s magic is in the tactical department. He changes tactics several times in a game as and when needed, nobody else has been so sufficient at this besides Avram Grant when he was at Chelsea.
I’ve always wanted Martin O’Neil as the England manager, the guy is a ridulously good manager and is definitely not one to be underestimated, even with the calibre of players he has at Sunderland. He was a good player too.
Rate this comment:
2 
0
if we doesnt win n out from the two competition it wud b the start of somethng worst. n cnt wait. these deluusioned fans finally realise n cme out that this club hv a low ambition.jst a money profit club.
Rate this comment:
0 
3
Truth hurt guys. jst accept it.
Rate this comment:
0 
0