There is this thing about light and bizarre occurrences. Courtesy of the mascinations of Hollywood, we have come to associate light with a host of unexplained phenomena. For instance, I don't get why people still die if all it takes is not to go towards " the light " that beckons. I still do not understand why we need such huge telescopes and sophisticated technology in modern astronomy if it is indeed true that alien life forms will arrive in ships emitting brilliant light.
Sunderland Fc of the English Premier league have christened their home ground "The Stadium Of Light". Keeping true to this, bizarre things have occurred at this 40,000 seater. Sunderland is one of those clubs where you will be hard pressed to find the class of footballing names that grace the ranks of he likes of Manchester united, Arsenal , Chelsea and Liverpool- The so called big four of England. With the expansion of this league of the big boys to a possible big six courtesy of the splash of petrodollars at Manchester City and the foray of Tottenham Hotspurs into the Champions league, it indeed becomes bizarre that in some odd 10 months, Sunderland have not lost a match at the Stadium of Light.
15 Mins in when Antoine Ferdinard ( the lesser talented, less illustrious younger brother of Rio of Manchester United. You get the picture? ) attempted another long ball forward in typical English style football. His clearance awkwardly bounced off the ankle of the charging Arsenal World Cup winning captain, Cesc Fabregas, and in a perfect loop from what must have been some 40 yards out, flew over his stranded keeper and dipped into the net. Arsenal 1-0 Sunderland.
Talk of a freak goal. However, this was not the most bizarre of events so far at the Stadium of light.. For the enrire 15 minutes gone so far for that match and the remaining first half, Sunderland lacked the beauty of Barcelona but harassed Arsenal in much the same way like the Catalans did on their last visit to the Emirates. It was more gory less classy, more of hard work than skill but the possession was comparable. It was hard to believe that this was the same Arsenal side that danced, cajoled and skipped in loops around Fc Braga just some 72hrs earlier thrashing them 6-0.
For the first time in a long time, Arsenal's back five including the much underrated Almunia, were the most assuring department in the team. The midfield was stretched, Chamakh labored upfront trying his best to make of scraps and Cesc Fabregas just as that night at the Emirates with Barcelona started limping after scoring! The damage this time is to the hamstrings not a broken leg. But either-way, he had to be substituted at 29 mins.
The crowd was urging the home team and the light seemed to shine brighter at the Stadium of Light when Alex Song mindlessly obstructed Malbranque to earn his second yellow and his marching orders. 10 men Arsenal, at a ground that has been doggy for them in particular, a goal in the bag, their captain out, some 30 Mins still left to go, Asamoah Gyan the Ghanaian who made all the difference last time as a substitute for Sunderland still on the bench.
Admittedly, it was looking ominous as an Arsenal fan. Bizarrely, the outstanding play by the french trio of Squillaci , Koscienly, Sagna at the back gave some calm reassurance, but this was largely so because Sunderland's obsession with forays down the channels with crosses whipped into the box didn't look like they would break the proverbial camels back.
The more it dragged on, the more Rosicky and Nasri traded passes, dribbling, calming the game down and giving Arsenal some much need possession. It was almost looking decent once again for Arsenal. 15 minutes from time, the later earned the penalty and the former being the stand in captain and more experienced elected to take it.
To the agony of Arsenal fans, Rosicky, had a "Asamoah Gyan moment " and blasted the kick over the bar with the keeper completely sent the wrong way. With the chance to kill off the steam in Steve Bruce's men gone, it appeared to be a game of hopeful waiting that a freak event would not ruin the chances of Arsenal ascending to the pile atleast for 24hrs before Cjhelsea played on Sunday against newboys Blackpool.
In typical bizarre Arsenal bad-luck, just-like when Eduardo broke his leg some seasons back when a win over Birmingham could have opened an 8 point gap at the top for Arsenal, at the dead of the game Daren Bent who as a youngster cheered on Arsenal, nailed one into the roof from close range after a goal mouth melee. The time on the clock was way past the MINIMUM 4 Mins that had been indicated as added time at the end of 90 Mins.
I blame the lights.
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