SAFC v Arsenal: how Arsène Wenger sank the drinking culture

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Does Arsenal’s walloping in Milan mean they’ll be easy meat on Saturday evening? Or will they return to Sunderland in angry, let’s-prove-we’re-not-useless mode? Time will tell …

Twelve days ago, I met a man on the Tube. He was a director of the Roosterspiripiri fastfood chain on his way home from the Emirates, having watched with his two young sons Arsenal’s demolition of Blackburn. He was also a Gooner, so happy. Once the train emerged into daylight, my mobile phone flashed with news of a goal from Stoke (McClean Coming Clean), so I was happy, too. Man on Tube had a fascinating family background embracing Pakistan, Sunderland and Newcastle and agreed to answer the “Who are You?” questions. Since then, total silence. Luckily Anthony “Ant” Oliveri* popped up. He loves Southend, adores football generally (see his WeAreTrueFans site) but worships Arsenal. And here, much more than a mere supersub for Roosterspiripiri man (who now reports that he has been out of action with a trapped nerve in his shoulder, so all is forgiven), he is …

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Build yourselves up for Arsenal with some mighty leek broth

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Jake's recipe


Well done to the Reserves for drawing 3-3 against a strong-sounding Liverpool side. Adam Reed and, with a cracker of a shot by all accounts, Craig Lynch accounted for two of our goals, the third being recorded as an own goal.

But is it because we’re playing Arsenal twice in a week that things otherwise seem so uneventful that Salut! Sunderland is about to go off-piste again and talk about food? Maybe.

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Jake’s Spanish eye on Sunderland art

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It is a quiet Tuesday. Valentine’s Day and all that, so M Salut is taking Mme Salut to the theatre tonight to see Crazy For You, which promises to be better than coming joint bottom in a pub quiz last night.

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Soapbox: Arsenal nick it and we apologise to Mignolet

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Another gem from Jake


Pete Sixsmith has had a chance to review the two Arsenal goals and no longer attaches blame to Simon Mignolet. M Salut cannot forget his disbelief as that cross sailed across the keeper’s lines, without any attempt to move let alone catch or punch, but has not seen replays so accepts Pete’s judgement. Sorry, Simon …

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Sixer’s Sevens: SAFC 1 Arsenal 2 – not Mignolet’s finest hour

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This is where Pete Sixsmith captures the glory and shame, hope and despair, excitement and ennui of the Sunderland matchday experience. When, rarely, Pete is absent or delayed, a supersub does it for him and the seven-word verdict is preceded by an asterisk. Pete’s full analysis of the game will usually appear within a day or two.


Everyone is liable to have an occasional off day at work. Simon Mignolet had one today. His distribution throughout, whether from pass backs under no pressure or goal kicks was poor. He rarely seemed commanding in the six-yard area. And then he failed to make any meaningful attempt to save Ramsey’s equaliser, or the Arshavin cross – good but eminently defendable if only your keeper doesn’t remain motionless on his line – from which Thierry Henry bundled the ball over the line.

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