Barclays Premier League

GREAT GAME OF FOOTBALL

This has been a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of football. After a whirlwind opening, the first half seemed to settle, but Arsenal were the superior side and went ahead through a good Santi Cazorla strike. The Gunners looked to be in good form and were only denied more goals by the heroics of Simon Mignolet. However, Sunderland came out for the second period in a much more positive mood and were handed two welcome boosts. First, Jack Wilshere - Arsenal's best player of the afternoon, came off injured, before Carl Jenkinson was shown a second yellow card. Jenkinson had only come in at the last minute as Laurent Koscielny was unwell in the warm-up, so his dismissal was not a welcome sight for Arsene Wenger. The hosts continued to push but couldn't find a way through, with Wojciech Szczesny pulling off two superb late saves to deny Titus Bramble and Steven Fletcher. All in all, a great afternoon's football, and an even better three points for Arsenal. Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal.

FULL TIME

Anhtony Taylor blows the whistle, and Arsenal have all three points today.

KEEPER ATTACKING

Simon Mignolet goes into the box for a late corner, but he can't get to it.

WASTED

Arsenal break forward and find themselves in a three-on-one situation, but Olivier Giroud lashes over the bar instead of picking out Mikel Arteta or Santi Cazorla either side of him.

ALL OR NOTHING

Sunderland have thrown everyone forward here. They seem desperate to grab an equaliser.

ADDED TIME

Four minutes are added on.

ROLLING THE CLOCK DOWN

Arsenal have a corner but seem content to keep it there, whilst Olivier Giroud is the only man in the area ready to attack it should it come in.

ARSENAL CHANGE

Ignasi Miquel takes the place of Theo Walcott in a substitution clearly designed to shore things up for Arsenal.

SUPER SAVES

Sunderland have been denied by not one, but two super stops from Wojciech Szczesny. Steven Fletcher is the first to miss, being denied from two yards with a super flying save from a header, before Titus Bramble's headed effort from a corner is also tipped over. World class.

PETULANT

Theo Walcott boots the ball into the stand as a decision goes against him. A yellow card is produced, but Walcott had no need to do that.

FINAL SUNDERLAND CHANGE

David Vaughan takes the place of the injured Danny Rose, with Jack Colback slotting in at left-back.

FRUSTRATING

Arsenal have spent the last few minutes camped in and around the Sunderland box, but no-one seems willing to step up and have a shot. Instead of looking for the perfect pass, perhaps somebody should just have an attempt on target.

INJURY

Danny Rose's afternoon is over. The left-back pulls up as he chases a long ball and it seems that his hamstring has gone.

TRYING HARD

Theo Walcott has had a good afternoon, and will want to round it off with a goal. His missed effort a moment ago seems to have spurred him on more.

OFF THE POST!

What a ball from Santi Cazorla, and so close from Theo Walcott. Cazorla threads through a perfect pass to leave the Sunderland defence for dead, only for Walcott's cheeky flick to come back off the outside of the post and back into play.

CAN'T QUITE MAKE IT

For all of their pressure, it seems as if Sunderland can't break down the Arsenal defence. It seems strange that Arsene Wenger hasn't brought on another defender, especially after the dismissal of Jenkinson.

BUILDING MOMENTUM

Sunderland are still pressing forward here and their fans are urging them on. Arsenal looked very good in the first half and are now being put under real pressure - can they hold on?

POOR SHOT

Nacho Monreal breaks down the left and lays it off to Abou Diaby, but the midfielder's shot is straight down the throat of Simon Mignolet. A poor effort.

SUNDERLAND CHANGE

Alfred N'Diaye has left the field, with Danny Graham taking his place. The Sunderland fans give Graham a very warm welcome indeed.

OFFSIDE

Steven Fletcher rolls the ball across the face of goal for John O'Shea to tuck it away, but the Scotland striker was ruled to be offside.

YELLOW CARD

A few moments ago, Sebastian Larsson was shown the yellow card for kicking the ball away.

CHANGE THE GAME

Suddenly, Sunderland feel they can get something from this game. With the withdrawal of Wilshere and the dismissal of Jenkinson, the hosts suddenly have a real incentive to attack Arsenal.

RED CARD

Carl Jenkinson is sent off. Silly boy. Stephane Sessegnon turned on the pace down the left and Jenkinson dived in from behind, earning himself a second yellow card. Deserved.

END TO END

This game is becoming more of a contest. Arsenal attack up one end through Walcott and Giroud, before Sunderland hit back with Adam Johnson. Great stuff.

BIG CHANCE

Sunderland should have drawn level. Aaron Ramsey is caught on the ball and Stephane Sessegnon robs it from him, before surging forward. Instead of shooting himself, he lays it off to Steven Fletcher, whose left-foot shot is wide of the post. Close from the home side.

GOOD HIT

Olivier Giroud powers in a shot from outside the area after some good play, but he sends it inches wide of Simon Mignolet's left-hand post.

MUCH BETTER

Sunderland are showing a lot more heart and desire than they were in the latter stages of the first half. They seem to have been boosted by the withdrawal of Wilshere, who was playing superbly for Arsenal.

CLOSE!

Sebastian Larsson whips in a free kick from the left and it takes an Aaron Ramsey header to get rid of the ball. Good play from Sunderland.

ARSENAL CHANGE

Abou Diaby takes the place of the stricken Jack Wilshere, in a move Arsene Wenger did not seem to want to make just yet.

INJURED

Jack Wilshere goes down after being body-checked by Alfred N'Diaye. Nothing malicious at all, but Wilshere's afternoon is over.

QUIET

The fans haven't quite livened up for this second period. Mind you, it's not as if they've seen anything to excite them.

KICK OFF

We're underway in the second period.

SUNDERLAND CHANGE

Sebastian Larsson replaces Lee Cattermole. A smart move by Martin O'Neill.

DESERVED LEAD

This hasn't been the most exciting game of football, despite an opening 10 minutes that promised so much. Arsenal find themselves ahead through Santi Cazorla and deserve to be, as they have been the dominant side in the opening period. In fact, if it wasn't for Simon Mignolet, the Gunners could be out of sight, but the Belgian goalie has been in top form. With only one goal in it, Sunderland have an opportunity to come back into this tie, but Arsenal look the dominant force as it stands. Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal.

HALF TIME

Anthony Taylor ends the half, with Arsenal one goal to the good.

ANOTHER TOP SAVE

Aaron Ramsey really should score here. The Welshman picks up the ball from a Olivier Giroud through-ball and blasts it goalwards from five yards, but somehow Simon Mignolet palmed it clear.

ADDED TIME

One minute is added on.

CHANCE

Arsenal have another attempt here. Nacho Monreal finds himself in acres of space down the left and whips in a great cross. Titus Bramble heads away from the waiting Olivier Giroud but only as far as Theo Walcott, whose low drive is easily saved by Mignolet.

HOLDING THE BALL

Arsenal are frustrating Sunderland by not giving the ball away. The hosts can't get close to the Arsenal players, meaning they aren't able to make any chances for themselves.

GREAT STUFF

Arsenal should be two up here. Santi Cazorla threads it through to Jack Wilshere, who bursts into the box and rolls the ball across the face of goal. Theo Walcott looks all set to tuck the ball home until Danny Rose clears it for a corner.

SUPERB TEAM PLAY

It has been coming. Jack Wilshere works his way through the middle, past a number of challenges, and plays the ball to Theo Walcott on the edge of the area. The England man turns and lays it off to Santi Cazorla, whose low left-footed drive is straight past the arm of Simon Mignolet and into the bottom corner. Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal.

GOOOAAAALLLl!!!

ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD!!!

LAST-DITCH

Sunderland are still holding firm here, but only just. The passing between Ramsey, Cazorla and Wilshere is a joy to behold, and the Sunderland defence are very busy.

GREAT SAVE!

Arsenal nearly find their way through here. Jack Wilshere dances past a couple of challenges before backheeling the ball into the path of Aaron Ramsey, whose powerful drive is turned away well by Simon Mignolet.

PRESSING

Arsenal are on the attack here but cannot find a way through a stubborn Sunderland defence. Nevertheless, this is some good stuff from the Gunners.

TRYING HARD

Carl Jenkinson is working well down the right flank but looks a touch off the pace. His team-mates may have to change tactics instead of pumping long balls down the flank for him to chase.

GOOD CROWD

The Sunderland fans are known for being vocal and today is no different. Danny Graham gets a warm round of applause as he warms up - the last time he was here, he was roundly jeered as a Swansea player!

PICKY

I apologise for my comment in the seventh minute. Play has suddenly become sloppy, untidy, and no real chances have presented themselves. Almost the exact opposite of what I said then.

NO-ONE THERE

Strange tactics from Arsenal. Craig Gardner lumps a free kick into the box from the half-way line, and Arsenal clear with ease. However, they have no-one at all outside the box, meaning that Sunderland get a second bite of the cherry.

GOOD EFFORT

Sunderland lob a long ball over the top for Steven Fletcher, and the Scotland striker gets a toe on it before Wojciech Szczesny comes out to gather.

SILKY STUFF

Arsenal knock the ball around well, particularly between Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, but when the latter looks for the one-two with Olivier Giroud he finds himself disappointed.

QUIET

The game has settled in the last few moments after that early spell of chances and tackles. There are plenty of quality players on show who could change things, so don't worry just yet.

FURIOUS

Craig Gardner takes the ball from Jack Wilshere after the Arsenal man slipped on the turf. Nothing wrong with that, but Arsene Wenger explodes with rage, giving the fourth official an earful. He may need to calm down, Mr Wenger, or he could be sent to the stands.

ROBUST

Within a matter of moments, both Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are left in a heap due to rought tackles. Seconds later, Carl Jenkinson makes a late challenge of his own and picks up a booking. Fierce stuff, although Wilshere looks hurt after his collision with Titus Bramble.

TIDY

Both sides are playing neat, controlled football. No pass has been wasted, and it looks as if we could be in for a good afternoon.

CLOSE!

This game has started at a whirlwind pace. Walcott has another chance at goal but once again can only sting the palms of Simon Mignolet. It could be a long afternoon for the Belgian 'keeper.

BOOKING

Lee Cattermole lunges in late on Aaron Ramsey and is shown a yellow card after only 80 seconds. Theo Walcott had a chance after that challenge but Simon Mignolet gathered down low.

EARLY CHANCE

Sunderland break down the right and Craig Gardner sends in a wonderful cross, only for Alfred N'Diaye to head just over. N'Diaye had completely lost Bacary Sagna there.

KICK OFF

Arsenal, in their yellow tops, start the match kicking from right to left.

LATE CHANGE

Laurent Koscielny was due to start this game but feel ill in the warmup, meaning Bacary Sagna switches to centre-back and Carl Jenkinson comes in.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS

Sunderland make two changes, with Danny Rose and Lee Cattermole returning in place of Sebastian Larsson and David Vaughan. Carl Jenkinson, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey replace Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny.

FACTS AND STATS

The hosts have the second best clean-sheet record in the Premier League, second only to Manchester City. The hosts are in mixed form coming into this game, with one draw, two wins and two losses in their last five. Arsenal, on the other hand, have three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five. The previous meeting between these two sides this season was on the first day, and was decidely poor - there were only 5 shots on target for the whole game.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Anthony Taylor is the referee for this game, and is one of the toughest officials this season, showing 59 yellow cards and five reds in 25 games. Mr Taylor has been in charge of Arsenal twice this season, including their 1-0 win over QPR when Stephane M'Bia was sent off, and their 5-2 victory at Reading. He was also the man in the middle for Sunderland's 3-2 victory at the DW Stadium.

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

Arsenal's injury problems lie in defence, where captain Thomas Vermaelen is missing with an ankle injury and Laurent Koscielny faces a late check on a calf problem. Kieran Gibbs has a thigh problem and Francis Coquelin, who can play as a stand-in defender, has a hamstring injury. Sebastien Squillaci or Ignasi Miquel could make a rare appearance if needed, but Gervinho is unlikely to be risked having returned from the African Cup of Nations this week. Theo Walcott picked up a blow on international duty but should be OK, whilst Aaron Ramsey should recover from the calf injury that caused him to miss the midweek Wales game.

SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS

James McClean is a major doubt for the hosts, having injured his ankle in the Republic of Ireland's midweek victory over Poland. The winger has also caused some unrest in the Sunderland camp by returning to social media, something that manager Martin O'Neill is not very happy with. Carlos Cuellar is missing with a knee injury and Wes Brown is a long-term injury victim, but Lee Cattermole could return to the bench after a knee injury of his own. Connor Wickham has joined Sheffield Wednesday for a month on loan, meaning Danny Graham could start in attack alongside Steven Fletcher.

PREVIEW

Hello and welcome to today's game between Sunderland and Arsenal. With both of these sides struggling to achieve their goals this season, with Arsenal off the pace in the race for the Champions League and Sunderland still flirting with relegation, three points today would be crucial.