|
|
O'Neill hails defensive display after Arsenal draw
Aug 18, 2012 7:25:00 PM
The Gunners dominated possession, particularly in the second half, but the visitors held firm and were able to start the season with a hard-fought point and a clean sheet
Martin O’Neill has praised the effort of his players as Sunderland battled to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal on the first day of the new Premier League season.The Black Cats defended stoically for 90 minutes as the hosts dominated possession but failed to find a way through.
Sunderland had a few chances of their own to win the game as neither side was able to grab the winner, but O’Neill was delighted to start the season with a point away from home.
"It was a great point for us and I’m obviously delighted with it," he told Sky Sports News. "I would have taken it before the game, especially considering our circumstances with the players we had today not all being fit.
"So overall it was a fantastic effort. Of course we’d like to rectify situations by getting some goals. Playing Arsenal any time is pretty difficult but today was a magnificent effort."
The Black Cats have not won at Arsenal since 1985, and several players had chances to give Sunderland the points, particularly in the first half as the hosts cut frustrated figures.
"I thought we had some good chances in the first-half ourselves," O’Neill added. "As we got tired in the second half obviously we had to defend closer to our own penalty area and that became more difficult.
"We stuck to the task and we did brilliantly. It’s a point on the board away from home and it gives us something to go forward."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Ancelotti’s departure leaves PSG in a pickle
With the Italian bound for Spain, the Ligue 1 champions face an uncertain immediate future
-
Cartoon: Bayern & Dortmund given licence to thrill
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
-
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind
-
-
Why Real Madrid are appointing Ancelotti
After the decision to dispense with Jose Mourinho was announced on Monday, the Spanish side have set their sights on the PSG coach, and he looks like the ideal man for the job
