New priorities, old principles... lessons learned against Arsenal
All things considered, the scoreline was perhaps a little harsh.
For much of the first half of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final, Sunderland held their own against a top-four PremierLeaguesideawayfrom home. Ultimately, though, Arsenal’s quality showed in the end.
Here are some of the things we learnt…
Broadhead’s importance highlighted
While his recent goalscoringformtellsmostofthestory, Nathan Broadhead’s first-half performance at the Emirates Stadium showed just how much of an asset the forward can be.
As expected, Arsenal saw more of the ball as Sunderland defended in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Still, with Alex Pritchard operating just behind BroadheadandRossStewart,thevisitors posed a threat.
Pritchard also showed his class by regularly dropping deep, taking the ball on the turn and searching for his forwardteam-matesaheadofhim.
Wing-backs Carl WinchesterandLyndenGoochalsogave Lee Johnson’s side an outlet on the flanks, and there was genuine belief after Broadhead pulledagoalbackwithadinked finish in the 31st minute.
Sunderland’s bubble appeared to burst when the striker was forced off with a hamstring injury, though.
Not only did Sunderland lose a significant part of their attackingthreat,buttheywere also forced to change shape.
Formuchofthesecondhalf the Black Cats were playing in a 4-4-2 system, with Denver Hume coming on at left-back and Bailey Wright moving to right-back.
Pritchard was moved up front alongside Stewart, yet the playmaker’s influence also wanedasArsenaltookcontrol.
As for Broadhead, we can only hope the injury isn’t too serious, though the initial prognosis doesn’t sound good.
Tough night for Hume
This was always going to be a big step up for Sunderland’s young side, and the significant increase in quality will have been even harder to compensate for a player who has recently returned from injury.
ThatwasthecaseforHume who had made just one senior appearance, coming off the bench against Ipswich Town on Saturday, after suffering an ankle injury in October.
After replacing Broadhead just before half-time, the leftback was left exposed against ArsenalwingerPepeinthesecond half.
Thebig-moneysigningtook full advantage as he was allowed space to provide assists for Eddie Nketiah and Charlie Patino from the flank.
OntheplussideforSunderland, Dennis Cirkin and Corry Evans, who came on in the closing stages, returned to the bench after injury setbacks.
Johnson will need as many players fit as possible heading into a busty festive period, and will have to reassess his priorities in January with players ruled out.
Sunderland stick to their principles
Whiletherehasbeenaneed to make small adjustments at times, Johnson has always stucktohisprinciplesthisseason.Itwouldhavebeeneasyfor a lower-league team to simply try and contain Arsenal by defending in a low block while trying to waste time at every opportunity.
Yet there were spells when Sunderlandtriedtopressfrom the front or attempted to play through the lines when they had possession. The runs of BroadheadgaveJohnson’sside athreatinthefirsthalf,yetthat route to goal dissipated after the interval.