Many would argue that Arsenal should be sitting atop the Premier League table by now with slip ups at home to West Brom and drawing to Newcastle after being 4 up looking like important points dropped however, Man Utd losing to Wolves and Chelsea beating them last week gave the Gunners a simple situation: win the rest of your games and you will be league champions. Once again though, not making up ground on the league leaders seems to be becoming a regular theme of Arsenal’s season.

1^st half: Absentees were felt

The first half of the game was largely uneventful with both teams struggling to create clear cut chances. It could be said that Fabregas and van Persie’s absences were felt but with Nasri, who took the captain’s armband, and Arshavin one would expect that they would have more than enough in the tank to beat Sunderland at the Emirates. This was not the case and by the end of the first half it was clear that Arsenal’s midfield trio was being over-run by a hardworking Sunderland midfield, another particularly poor performance from Denilson will be a delight for the returning Aaron Ramsey who was on the bench after returning from loan spells with Nottingham Forest and hometown club Cardiff.

2^nd half: Domination was not enough thanks to goalie and officials

In the second half arsenal slowly took control of the game with Mignolet making a string of fine saves in particular one from Bendtner, who did brilliantly to half volley from a narrow angle which drew an equally great moment of brilliance from the Sunderland keeper. Nasri also went close with a free kick which was saved well. The one time the in-form Black Cats keeper was beaten was a Chamakh header that crashed against the bar when you could sense an air of desperation and frustration amongst the Arsenal players.

Decisions, decisions

The 2 key moments of the game came from the men in black, Taylor and his assistants. One being the refusal of awarding a penalty when Titus Bramble did his best Superman impression, flying through the air to push Arshavin out of the way of what would’ve undoubtedly at least have been a shot on target. The second came when Arshavin was put through by a delightfully weighted Nasri pass after which the little Russian rounded the keeper and slotted it in only to be ruled offside. Replays suggest that the goal should have stood with Ferdinand playing Arsenal’s 23 onside. Ironically he did his cousin Rio in Manchester, a big favour. Wenger will certainly have every right to feel robbed of 3 points but credit should go to Sunderland who did work hard and cover a lot of ground.

Not Ideal

Bendtner had a half chance to win it at the end of the game after a polite bounce from a Rosicky punt upfield but did not get enough on his header to trouble the man of the match in the Sunderland goal. Another chance missed for the Gunners, which is not the kind of result they want after their Carling Cup final defeat and the upcoming trip to Barcelona.