'Arsenal are the ultimate test' - Bardo
PHIL Bardsley says Arsenal this weekend offer the "ultimate test" for a Premier League defender.
And the full-back admits the Black Cats will have their hands full trying to contain the top flight's most free-scoring side.
Although Arsenal have not figured among the trophy winners in the past few seasons they remain one of the elite 'big four' of the Premier League, and their football style is arguably among the most attractive and attacking in world football.
No team has scored more goals at home or on their travels this season than second-placed Arsenal, who also boast the division's best goal difference.
And Sunderland can only hope that the absence of first-choice centre-half Michael Turner through suspension this weekend is counter-balanced by injuries to Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.
Bardsley told the Gazette: "They're a tremendous side Arsenal, we know that. They don't often lose games.
"You go into games against them with no one expecting you to do anything against them, but if we go into the game with the same sort of attitude as we've shown against other big guns, like Manchester United and Liverpool, then there's no reason why we can't get something out of the game.
"I suppose Arsenal are the ultimate test at the moment, if you're a defender, because of the fact they're such a good goalscoring side.
"They've got great movement and great quality players, they love to go forward and they love to do it with pace.
"But that's why we're here, that's why we're in this division, to test ourselves against challenges like that, and look to stand up to them and even overcome them.
"There's a lot of joy to be had in playing against teams like these.
"They're a tremendous team and they recently scored a couple of goals in a minute against Spurs, which tells you what they're all about.
"But if we show the right attitude and produce our best football then we can produced an upset."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
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