This is the way I see things going tomorrow for Arsenal, when Sam Allardyce bring his struggling Sunderland side to north London to face the Gunners. Just like in our last two Premier League games against clubs we were expected to beat, O think that Arsenal will take the lead.
After that, however, I reckon things will be different. I certainly hope so anyway because in the last two games that opening goal was as good as it got for us. I see two major differences this time; one is that the game is at the Emirates in front of the Arsenal home crowd, who I sincerely hope and expect will get behind the players rather than joining the football media in their baiting of Arsene Wenger.
The other is Theo Walcott, who is set to be back in the squad after injury according to the Daily Mail. I don’t think the boss will risk him from the start but just having him on the bench is likely to have a sharpening up effect on Olivier Giroud.
Also, Walcott is the perfect player (or the worst possible nightmare depending on your point of view) to come on against a Sunderland side pushing for an equaliser. Jon O’Shea, Wes Bron, Kaboul and all are not exactly blessed with pace are they? So if they are pushing forward in the second half, how much damage could Theo do?
Another reason why his return is a massive boost for Arsenal is the Champions League. With no Alexis, could Walcott be the weapon that gets Arsenal into the next round?