Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal: Black Cats Halt Gunners' Good Form

Stadium of Light scoreline stuns Arsenal's travelling support.

Nov 21, 2009 4:56:40 PM

More On :  Arsenal, Sunderland
EPL: Darren Bent, Sunderland - Chelsea (PA)

A sole goal from Sunderland striker Darren Bent was enough to see off the Arsenal threat as the Black Cats inflicted a third away defeat on their visitors.
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Arsenal's ability to play an aesthetic brand of football was displayed from the off as, for the first time this season, midfield playmaker Cesc Fabregas, returning star Tomas Rosicky, and burgeoning France international Samir Nasri were all selected.

Fabregas and Rosicky linked-up in the eighth minute to test Sunderland shot-stopper Marton Fulop. The resiliance at the back was again threatened five minutes later when Fabregas fired a 25-yard strike goal-ward, but Fulop watched as the ball fizzed over the framework.

The Gunners maintained the pressure on Sunderland's goal throughout the first half, as Alex Song found Eduardo - filling in for creative Dutch forward Robin van Persie who sustained an ankle injury with the Netherlands - but the Brazil-born Croatia international's finish was lacking in terms of quality, and flew wide.

Six minutes later, Eduardo played the part of provider, and fed blossoming midfielder Aaron Ramsey, so instrumental last weekend while on international duty with Wales, but the teenager failed to find the target.

Sunderland began to test Arsenal following the half-time break, when they countered a Gunners attack, the rear-guard stifled a Samir Nasri strike, but Darren Bent and Andy Reid did not trouble Almunia's net on the hour mark.

Their patience, however, was rewarded. Darren Bent's initial header caused confusion in the area in the 71st minute before the striker again capitalised and Sunderland took the lead.

After this display Arsene Wenger must truly be hoping that Van Persie's horse placenta treatment proves miraculous and his top scorer returns ASAP. Steve Bruce, meanwhile, couldn't hide his delight after shaking the losing manager's hand at the final whistle.
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