Me and the machines

First of 2 trips to Wearside, starting with the league match tonight and the FA Cup the following week. Beginning of a very important 7 days for Arsenal Football Club according to Arsene Wenger. 3 matches that will decide our season. An European cup tie against AC Milan sandwiched in between 2 meetings with Martin O'Neill's Sunderland.

Video- Craig Gardner goal vs Wigan free kick for Sunderland January 2012 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Video- Craig Gardner goal vs Wigan free kick for Sunderland January 2012 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This stunning Craig Gardner goal vs Wigan ( see video below) put Sunderland 1-0 ahead in their fixture against the Latics on 3rd January, 2012.

Stoke City ended Tottenham's six-match Premier League winning streak while Martin O'Neill's Sunderland left it late to heap more misery on Steve Kean and Blackburn Rovers.

Simon Vukčević's early goal seemed destined to give Blackburn their second consecutive victory and lift them out of the bottom three.

Nothing seems to be going so right for Sunderland at the moment, The Mackems created several chances before going down to a 1-2 loss in stoppage time from a miscommunication from the defender and the keeper. Featured player Nicklas Bendtner is still finding his feet in his new club, on his 10th appearance, He had a relatively quiet game yesterday, but played a part in Sunderland's first goal cutting back onto his right foot, before smashing a low effort that bounced up towards Al-Habsi, who fumbled it and it fell to Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson who smashed it in from close range.

Nothing seems to be going so right for Sunderland at the moment, The Mackems created several chances before going down to a 1-2 loss in stoppage time from a miscommunication from the defender and the keeper. Featured player Nicklas Bendtner is still finding his feet in his new club, on his 10th appearance, He had a relatively quiet game yesterday, but played a part in Sunderland's first goal cutting back onto his right foot, before smashing a low effort that bounced up towards Al-Habsi, who fumbled it and it fell to Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson who smashed it in from close range.

By Alan Duffy

Sunderland 1-2 Wigan Athletic Premier League 26th November 2011

Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo is enjoying his best spell so far in England, after struggling at Chelsea and Blackburn. The hitman netted his fourth of the current season at the Stadium of Light, double what he had managed in his three previous seasons combined.

1. 1-0 to the Eng-ger-land. Who said the defensive approach was just for the Spain game? Jack Rodwell, Gareth Barry and Phil Jones in midfield. Now if we could just replace Theo Walcott and Stewart Downing with Scott Parker and Lee Cattermole to add a bit more stability. 2. Hopefully the goal will be given [.

Nicklas Bendtner has been in fine form for club and country, with assist and goals whilst representing both, N.B-52 has been put out on loan to the North-East of England to the Stadium Of Light, Sunderland, who have had an indifferent start to the season.

Denmark face Sweden on 11th November @ the Parken stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Video- Juan Mata goal vs Arsenal Chelsea 2011 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Video- Juan Mata goal vs Arsenal Chelsea 2011 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This fabulous Juan Mata goal vs Arsenal ( see video below) was the goal of the match in the Arsenal vs Chelsea Premier League game on 29 October, 2011.

Darren Bent's first return to Wearside since his switch to Aston Villa has dominated the headlines, but Steve Bruce will more concerned with trying to find what would only be his third home win of 2011.

Alex McLeish is coming off the back of two losses; one far from unexpected, the other extremely disappointing.

It was a deja vu feeling all over again at the Emirates Stadium as Robin van Persie scored twice within nine second half minutes to guide Arsenal to a huge 3-1 win over Stoke City.

Last weekend, van Persie needed to strike late to help his Gunners overcome Sunderland and this time around, the story seemed to be awfully similar with the Potters in town.

It was a deja vu feeling all over again at the Emirates Stadium as Robin van Persie scored twice within nine second half minutes to guide Arsenal to a huge 3-1 win over Stoke City.

Last weekend, van Persie needed to strike late to help his Gunners overcome Sunderland and this time around, the story seemed to be awfully similar with the Potters in town.

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has finally revealed why he didn't dare to look backwards when Sebastian Larsson scored the equalising goal, for Sunderland, on Sunday. Many asked why the Czech International reacted the way he did ...

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that even in a 2-1 defeat, the visiting Sunderland gave his side such a difficult time that their commitment deserves to be lauded.

The Gunners opened the scoring early through skipper Robin van Persie but Sebastian Larsson struck back later in the first half.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that even in a 2-1 defeat, the visiting Sunderland gave his side such a difficult time that their commitment deserves to be lauded.

The Gunners opened the scoring early through skipper Robin van Persie but Sebastian Larsson struck back later in the first half.

Such a long wait for this beauty of a freekick

The last captain's performance we had was from Cesc Fabregas against Aston Villa. That 20 odd minutes that he put in then, inspired us to victory. This time around, Robin Van Persie came up with the goods and delivered a performance worthy of the armband.

Such a long wait for this beauty of a freekick

The last captain's performance we had was from Cesc Fabregas against Aston Villa. That 20 odd minutes that he put in then, inspired us to victory. This time around, Robin Van Persie came up with the goods and delivered a performance worthy of the armband.

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has rubbished suggestions that he is already planning a move away from the club and before his brace helped the Gunners overcome Sunderland 2-1 this afternoon, the Dutchman said that some of the claims were laughable.

Van Persie, who is in the final two years of his contract, has been open about his frustrations regarding Arsenal's slow start this season but in the last week, media reports have exaggerated his feelings by concluding that his days as a Gunner are numbered.

Arsenal vs Sunderland 2-1 Highlights 2011 Video Van Persie Goals is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Arsenal vs Sunderland 2-1 Highlights 2011 Video Van Persie Goals is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Arsenal vs Sunderland 2011 ( Arsenal v SAFC 2011) Score and result:- Arsenal vs Sunderland 2-1 ( Van Persie*2/ Seb Larsson) Emirates Stadium, London- 16 October, 2011 Seb Larsson's fabulous free kick for Sunderland [.

Former Gunner Sebastian Larsson scores a brilliant free-kick to level matters for Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium following Robin Van Persie's opener after just 27 seconds of play.

Video- Seb Larsson goal vs Arsenal 2011- Sebastian Larsson free kick Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Video- Seb Larsson goal vs Arsenal 2011- Sebastian Larsson free kick Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This great Seb Larsson free kick goal vs Arsenal ( see video below) came in Sunderland's clash with the Gunners on 16 October, 2011.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was full of praise for former Gunner Sebastian Larsson and happy that the Sweden International has become a very strong defender. Speaking on Friday in his pre-match press conference, the Frenchman explained ...

For the first time since 1923, Sweden beat the Netherlands... and they did it by coming back, down 2-1 to win 3-2. Damn. Sebastian Larsson with the penalty goal and then seconds later, Toivonen scores to seal the win. Didn't much matter to the Netherlands as they had already qualified, but for Sweden, by winning, qualified and avoids the playoff route.

When the referee blew the final whistle last night, I breathed a big sigh of relief. It was a miserable game from start to finish: a game where there were very few positive moments from a Swedish perspective. Lets start with the good stuff though. Somewhere around ten minutes in Sebastian Larsson makes a run into the middle, puts his arms up and yells for Källström to give him the ball on the run, Källström does just that and after beating the offside trap Larsson thumps the ball on a half-volley into the ground and then watches it bounce past the oncoming Finnish keeper.

Hamren has called up the troops for action and its time for a little analysis of what is coming our way on the 7th of October. Here is the full squad:

Andreas Isaksson, Johan Wiland

Mikael Lustig, Pierre Bengtsson, Andreas Granqvist, Daniel Majstorovic, Olof Mellberg, Jonas Olsson, Martin Olsson

Emir Bajrami, Christian Wilhelmsson, Rasmus Elm, Johan Elmander, Alexander Gerndt, Samuel Holmen, Tobias Hysen, Kim Källström, Sebastian Larsson, Anders Svensson, Ola Toivonen, Pontus Wernbloom, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

So these are the guys who are going to go toe to toe with the Finns.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Bolton

Liverpool return to Premier League action with Owen Coyle's Bolton side visiting Anfield on Saturday. The Reds took a brief break from league action on Wednesday night to dispatch of Exeter in the Carling Cup, but will once more be focused on building momentum into a crucial season for the club.

Sergio Aguero goals vs Swansea Video- 2011 August- Man City Debut is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Sergio Aguero goals vs Swansea Video- 2011 August- Man City Debut is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter These two Sergio Aguero goals vs Swansea were Kun's first goals in Man City colours.

Eyes on new-look Liverpool as Sunderland spoil the party is a post from: Just Football

by Nate Williams

Sebastian Larsson made a superb start for Sunderland to score on his debut and earn them a point at Liverpool.

It took only five minutes for the first penalty of the premiership season to be awarded after Kieran Richardson tripped Luis Suarez.

Record signing Andy Carroll insists Liverpool are ready to kick-on despite a disappointing 1-1 draw in their Premier League opener against Sunderland.
The Reds looked on course for victory after an early Luis Suarez goal, but they were pegged back by Sebastian Larsson's volley.
Carroll admits not beating Sunderland was disappointing, but feels Liverpool is now ready to push on.

Striker Luis Suarez gave Liverpool the perfect start to their season but they wasted the opportunity to press home their advantage as they were pegged back by Sunderland.
With £49million worth of new signings on the pitch there was a feeling of optimism around Anfield and it was therefore fitting Suarez, the January acquisition who ignited the second half of last season, should score the first goal of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Striker Luis Suarez gave Liverpool the perfect start to their season but they wasted the opportunity to press home their advantage as they were pegged back by Sunderland.
With £49million worth of new signings on the pitch there was a feeling of optimism around Anfield and it was therefore fitting Suarez, the January acquisition who ignited the second half of last season, should score the first goal of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Kenny Dalglish believes that nerves may have affected Liverpool's new signings in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland on the opening day of the season.
Four summer signings - Jose Enrique, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing - made their Liverpool debuts at Anfield on Saturday.
"The four boys who came in would have had nerves.

Kenny Dalglish believes that nerves may have affected Liverpool's new signings in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland on the opening day of the season.
Four summer signings - Jose Enrique, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing - made their Liverpool debuts at Anfield on Saturday.
"The four boys who came in would have had nerves.

The new Premier League season may be less than a day old but Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has already called for clarity on rules after his side's 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.
Just five minutes into the match at Anfield Kieran Richardson brought down Luis Suarez as he rounded goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

The new Premier League season may be less than a day old but Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has already called for clarity on rules after his side's 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.
Just five minutes into the match at Anfield Kieran Richardson brought down Luis Suarez as he rounded goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Bolton Wanderers sit atop the English Premier League after they thrashed newly promoted Queens Park Rangers 4-0 at Loftus Road. It was a rude introduction to the Premier League for QPR who finished with 10 men after Clint Hall's late sending off for a headbutt.

After a promising start, in which striker DJ Campbell's had a goal disallowed for offide, QPR conceded a goal right on the stroke of half-time when Bolton defender Gary Cahill fired the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Bolton Wanderers sit atop the English Premier League after they thrashed newly promoted Queens Park Rangers 4-0 at Loftus Road. It was a rude introduction to the Premier League for QPR who finished with 10 men after Clint Hall's late sending off for a headbutt.

After a promising start, in which striker DJ Campbell's had a goal disallowed for offide, QPR conceded a goal right on the stroke of half-time when Bolton defender Gary Cahill fired the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Pics courtesy of Getty Images

Liverpool could only muster a draw against a Wes Brown inspired Sunderland at Anfield today.

Luis Suarez missed a seven minute penalty blazing it over the bar, however he made amends five minutes later when he headed the Red's in front.

However Sunderland snatched a share of the spoils when debutant Sebastian Larsson scored an acrobatic volley miway into the second half.

The Barclays Premier League returned to households around the world this weekend and aside from one extremely lopsided fixture, the matches played on Saturday were very competitive.

Two of the aforementioned fixtures ended in goalless draws as Aston Villa drew away to Fulham and Arsenal experienced the same outcome against Newcastle at Tyneside.

Attempting to achieve better results in the new season, Liverpool doesn't give a convincing start for their fans as the Reds failed to pick up three points in their opening league game against Sunderland at Anfield.

Taking the lead in the first half through Luis Suarez's header, Kenny Dalglish's side have to settle for a point after the Black Cat's equalized in the second half from Sebastian Larsson's wonderful finish.