Saturday March 5, 2011 Day 29 Finished Emirates Stadium

  1. Sunderland draw dents Arsenal

    Sunderland draw dents Arsenal

    Arsenal's Premier League title hopes took a knock after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Arsenal
    • Sunderland
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+5' The final whistle goes, and Sunderland have claimed a hard-earned point that has put a real dent in Arsenal's title challenge!
    • 90+5' The corner goes all the way over the box and is sent back in for Koscielny... The header is glanced wide!
    • 90+4' Rosicky's cross is met by Bendtner's header... The effort is tame and Mignolet is off his line to gather it up! Arshavin's cross is blocked by Ferdinand. surely Arsenal's last chance.
    • 90+3' Jack Colback (who replaced Henderson on 87 minutes) is booked for a foul on Wilshere.
    • 90+2' The emirates crowd is roaring the home team on now. Mensah's header away drops for Arshavin, who tries to nod it to chamakh, but the morrocan was in an offside position.
    • 90' Wilshere gets in behind and plays a dangerous ball across the box but Bramble clears it! The wasn;t a red shirt within five yards of him!
    • 89' Four minutes of added time are signalled by the fourth official.
    • 87' Arshavin one-on-one with Mignolet and he puts the ball in the net! It won't count, the offside flag is up! The Russian was ONSIDE when the ball was played! arsenal robbed a perfectly decent goal there! How important will that be in the final title reckoning?
    • 86' Al-Muhamadi's corner comes to Sessegnon on the edgeof the box... The Frenchman's volley is slashed high and wide.
    • 85' From the corner Henderson's strike rebounds off the keeper and Bramble fires over the bar! Arsenal survive. Nasri goes into the referee's book for a foul. Arsenal's composure beginning to dissipate as sunderland win another corner.
    • 84' Sessegnon beats Clichy down the wing and picks out Welbeck. The forward brings the ball down with a great first touch and fires a quality strike on the turn that's bound for the bottom corner... Tipped round the post by Szczesny! An excellent save from the Polish keeper!
    • 83' The short corner routine doesn't bear fruit, but Sunderland retain possession.
    • 82' Richardson floats the ball into box and it yields a corner. Can the Black Cats claim a smash and grab win?
    • 81' Koscielny goes into the book now for a foul which gives Sunderland a decent dead-ball opportunity.
    • 80' Wilshere is back on his feet as Sunderland are being pinned back. Sessegnon's attempted counter breaks down and Arsenal counter with Arshavin. The Russian latches on to Nasri's pass and fires wide after Bramble had given him a shove in the back! Genuine shout for a penalty there, but the referee gives nothing!
    • 79' Wilshere is down on the ground but play continues with the Gunners attacking.
    • 78' Sunderland substitution: Ahmed Al-Muhamadi replaces Gyan.
    • 77' Arsenal substitution: Tomas Rosicky replaces Diaby. The Czech had been waiting since before Nasri's free-kick to join the match!
    • 76' The Gunners maintain the pressure and lay siege to the Sunderland area for a full minute, but eventually Sunderland clear after Wilshere's floated pass.
    • 75' Wilshere's cross comes in from the left and Chamakh's header rebounds off the bar! Arsenal getting closer now, but can Sunderland hang on?
    • 73' Nasri strikes... Great save from Mignolet!! The keeper got an outstretched hand to the curling shot and sunderland clear the rebound!
    • 72' Koscielny brought down by Sessegnon near the edge of the box. The foul was late but Koscielny made a meal of it! Ideal range for a shot here. Nasri the only one near the dead ball...
    • 71' Wilshere bursts forward and gets to the edge of the box before losing his footing. Goal kick to Sunderland.
    • 70' Nice play from Diaby as he evades two tackles and plays wide for Bendtner. The Dane puts in a decent ball but it's too far ahead of Chamakh.
    • 69' This will be Welbeck's first appearance in seven games following a knee injury. How Sunderland have missed him.
    • 68' Sunderland substitution: Danny Welbeck replaces Malbranque.
    • 67' The ball is a dipping one to Bendtner at the far post, but Bramble does enough to force the Dane to head out of play.
    • 66' Great little battle between Sessegnon and Arshavin. The Frenchman initially does well to force the Russian wide, but then Arshavin wins a free-kick wide on the left. He will take it himself...
    • 65' Wilshere has been booked for something, presumably dissent for arguing over the foul throw.
    • 64' Arsenal start to raise the temperature following Chamakh's introduction, but a promising spell is ruined by Clichy's foul throw! No excuse for that...
    • 63' Almost an instant impact from Chamakh as he pulls the ball back for Arshavin... Beaten away by Mignolet!
    • 62' Arsenal substitution: Marouane Chamakh replaces Denilson. The Morrocan is wearing a snood. He'll have to make the most of it, as FIFA have announced today they will be banned from next season.
    • 61' Arsenal skirt all the way around the edge of the Sunderland box but again can't find a way through. Denilson brigns the move to an end with a foul on Muntari.
    • 59' Henderson is booked for a foul on Denilson. The midfielder went in very late.
    • 58' The home fans are getting impatient as Arsenal lose possession cheaply twice in midfield in a matter of moments.
    • 57' Nasri loses possession an petulantly shoves his marker in the back. Free-kick to Sunderland.
    • 56' Arsenal have only failed to score in three of their last 27 Premier League matches at the Emirates. They have conceded once in their last five league home matches. That one goal was scored by Everton’s Louis Saha on 1 February. (Infostrada)
    • 55' Djourou comes back on to the field as Arsenal set up camp in the final third, but they are still struggling to get in behind the Sunderland back line.
    • 54' Djourou is back on his feet, and walks gingerly off the field. Arsenal have Sebastien Squillaci on the bench if needed.
    • 53' Djourou goes down clutching his face after being sandwiched between Bramble and Muntari. If there was any contact it was unintentional, but the Swiss international looks out of it on the ground.
    • 52' At the other end Arsenal win a corner off Malbranque. The set piece is played short and the move quickly breaks down.
    • 51' Koscielny gives the ball away in a dangerous position. Henderson finds Malbranque, bu the shot from range trickles through to Szczesny.
    • 50' Mensah stretches out a leg to intercept Arshavin's ball forward for Bendtner. The Ghanaian has been pretty solid today, as he generally is whenever he is not injured.
    • 49' The Emirates crowd stirs as Aaron Ramsey goes for a jog along the touchline. It's about as animated as the crowd has got all afternoon!
    • 48' Szczesny comes off his line to collect but has to chest and clear for a throw-in as the ball runs out of his box. Another lack of communication between him and Koscielny.
    • 47' Clichy's early ball in is headed away by Ferdinand as Arsenal poured plenty of men forward.
    • 46' The second half is underway! No changes from either side at the break.
    • 45+2' The whistle goes for half-time, and Gunners fans will be hoping for more from their team in the second half.
    • 45+2' Nasri's corner is a decent one but Bendtner fouls Mignolet as the keeper punches clear.
    • 45+1' Bramble heads away Sagna's cross. Wilshere keeps the move alive and Arshavin wins a corner.
    • 45' Sulley Muntari delivers, but it's a disappointing set piece. The fourth official indicates a minimum of two minutes of added time.
    • 44' A lack of communication in the Arsenal ranks leads to Denilson conceding a corner.
    • 43' Sessegnon beats Clichy to the byline to get his cross in, but it's easily cleared by Koscielny.
    • 42' Bardsley goes in with a robust challenge on Nasri. The referee has a word with the Sunderland man, but keeps his card in his pocket.
    • 40' The ball come sin over the top and sits up for Bendtner to volley... Tipped over the bar by Mignolet! Grerat save from the Belgian!
    • 39' Nasri's graceful poise and balance draws ripples of applause from the home crowd, but he takes a knock as he finds Clichy out wide.
    • 38' Bardsley is back on the field. Wilshere plays it down the channel for Clichy to meet. the left-back plays it inside for Nasri, who hits a tame effort at Mignolet.
    • 37' Bardsley receives some treatment on the pitch, seemingly to the heel with which he blocked Nasri's pass. The full-back should be fine to continue though.
    • 36' The corner pings off the heads of two Sunderland players and sits up invtingly for Bendtner to try the overhead kick... struck right at Mignolet!
    • 35' A beautiful slaloming run into the box from Nasri and he gets to the byline. His attempted pulled back pass into the box is blocked for a corner by Bardsley.
    • 34' Arshavin is blocked off by Ferdinand as he chases the ball. He wants a free-kick, but the referee is not interested.
    • 33' Diaby turns and surges forward. He tries to go through Mensah and Bardsley, but the latter slides in and gets his foot in.
    • 32' Nasri keeps the ball well in midfield and finds Bendtner dropping deep for him. The Dane plays the return pass into Nasri's run, but it's got just too much on it.
    • 31' Koscielny is way up the pitch here, but he fouls Mensah as he jostles for the ball inside the Sunderland box.
    • 30' Arsene Wenger has won nine of 14 career league matches against Sunderland manager Steve Bruce (2 defeats). (Infostrada)
    • 28' Wilshere chips a lovely weighted pass over the top for Arshavin to chase. The Russian bears down on it but Titus Bramble does just enough to put the Russian off and the ball rolls safely to Mignolet.
    • 27' Djourou and Sagna take their turns in snuffing out nascent Sunderland attacks. Szczesny had almost played Koscielny into trouble with an ill-conceived short pass, but the defender dealt with it calmly.
    • 26' Gyan scampers towards the corner, turns and picks out Malbranque's run into the box. The Frenchman is thwarted by a well-timed tackle from Djourou. Goal kick to Arsenal.
    • 25' Arsenal launch the coutner, again via Clichy, but bentner climbs on his marker as the cross comes in and sunderland have a free-kick.
    • 24' Richardson surges forward and gets past Koscielny but doesn't have any support in attack.
    • 23' Midway through the first half, and Arsenal are yet to fully find their feet, but look reasonably comfortable at the moment.
    • 22' First booking of the match goes to Richardson for a foul from behind on Denilson.
    • 20' Jack Wilshere tries to lift a pass over into the path of Bendtner, but Bardsley intercepts with a header. The ball is only half-cleared and Wilshere drags an effort wide from 20 yards.
    • 19' Arsenal and Sunderland have met 127 times in the league. Arsenal have won 47, Sunderland 44 and there have been 36 draws. (Infostrada)
    • 18' Sunderland have only won six of 51 Premier League away games in London. (Opta)
    • 17' Sagna's poor pass inside leads to a Sunderland counter. Sessegnon gets past Clichy and his strike is palmed away by Szczesny!
    • 15' Hearts in mouths as Laurent Koscielny lets the ball bounce before heading it back to Szczesny with Gyan advancing, but the back pass comes off without a hitch.
    • 14' Sagna fouls Malbranque to end the latest foray forward from the Gunners, who have Aaron Ramsey among their substitutes this afternoon.
    • 13' Play is happening more and more in Sunderland's half now after that bright early showing by the visitors.
    • 12' Arshavin is caught well offside. The Russian is sporting a trendy new haircut, but is still pulling the same old funny facial expressions.
    • 11' Nine of Arsenal’s last 15 Premier League goals have been scored by Robin van Persie. The Dutchman has provided an assist on two of the remaining six, meaning that he has played a part in 11 of the Gunners’ last 15 league goals. He is missing due to injury today. (Infostrada)
    • 10' Gael Clichy flashes in a low ball for Bendtner, who just can't get a touch on it. Bacary Sagna keeps the move alive and gives the ball to Samir Nasri, but Arsenal's captain for the day curls in a shot that's an easy save for Mignolet.
    • 9' Bendtner takes Andrei Arshavin's pass in his stride but the second touch rebounds off his shin and through to Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal.
    • 8' Kieran Richardson tries to weave his way through the defence and wins another corner for Sunderland, from the left this time. It's low to the near post and breaks loose inside the box! The ball is half-cleared and Phil Bardsley's shot from range is fired wide of the near post. Szczesny had that covered.
    • 7' Djourou plays a long diagonal ball up to Nicklas Bendtner, who brings it down well on his chest but John Mensah and Anton Ferdinand double-team the Dane and force him into conceding the goal kick.
    • 6' Asamoah Gyan feels he was fouled by Johan Djourou, but referee Anthony Taylor waves play on.
    • 5' Decent early showing here from Sunderland. They are not letting the Gunners get into their rhythm.
    • 4' Arsenal have won only three of seven Premier League matches without Cesc Fabregas this season (43%) and 14 of their 20 matches with him playing (70%). (Infostrada)
    • 3' Confident early showing from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who claims the corner with authority. He'll be under the spotlight this afternoon following his costly error which led to Arsenal losing the Carling Cup final last Sunday.
    • 2' Denilson gives the ball away carelessly to Stephane Sessegnon. The Frenchman comes forward and feeds Jordan Hednerson. The England man squares a low ball towards Steed Malbranque... cleared for a corner!
    • 1' Arsenal kick off and we're underway! If they win all 11 remaining games in the Premier League, they will be champions!
    • 14:57 The players are out on the pitch now. We're almost ready to go...
    • 14:55 Arsenal have scored 11 goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season, more than any other team.
    • 14:50 There have been five red cards in the last nine Premier League games involving the Gunners, while they have won only four of their 12 Premier League games against teams in the top half this season, while Sunderland have won four out of 14.
    • 14:45 The Black Cats have lost seven and won none of the nine away Premier league games against the Gunners.
    • 14:40 There have only been eight goals scored in the last six Premier League meetings between Sunderland and Arsenal.
    • 14:35 Asamoah Gyan is playing alone up front at the Emirates: Danny Welbeck returns to the Sunderland squad after a knee injury but is on the bench while fellow attacker Fraizer Campbell (knee) has not made it. Michael Turner (knee) and Lee Cattermole (back) are missing, as are Bolo Zenden and Nedum Onuoha (both calf).
    • 14:35 Aaron Ramsey is on the bench and could make his first appearance for Arsenal since breaking his leg a year ago. Samir Nasri captains the Gunners with Cesc Fabregas struggling to make the Barca return leg, while Robin van Persie is definitely out of that clash and this - leaving Nicklas Bendtner to lead the line after his FA Cup hat-trick in midweek. Alex Song (knee), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Theo Walcott (ankle) are also out.
    • 14:30 Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Denilson, Wilshere, Nasri, Diaby, Arshavin, Bendtner; subs: Almunia, Rosicky, Ramsey, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh
    • 14:30 Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson, Muntari, Malbranque, Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan; subs: Gordon, Riveros, Welbeck, Colback, Elmohamady, Knott, Noble
    • 14:30 Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
    • 14:25 Sunderland have only won six of 51 Premier League away games in London and lost their last four Premier League matches in a row.
    • 14:20 Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their last eight Premier League games.
    • 14:15 Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Arsenal v Sunderland. Kick off is at 3.00pm.

  • Summary

    • 90+5' The corner goes all the way over the box and is sent back in for Koscielny... The header is glanced wide!
    • 90+4' Rosicky's cross is met by Bendtner's header... The effort is tame and Mignolet is off his line to gather it up! Arshavin's cross is blocked by Ferdinand. surely Arsenal's last chance.
    • 84' Sessegnon beats Clichy down the wing and picks out Welbeck. The forward brings the ball down with a great first touch and fires a quality strike on the turn that's bound for the bottom corner... Tipped round the post by Szczesny! An excellent save from the Polish keeper!
    • 80' Wilshere is back on his feet as Sunderland are being pinned back. Sessegnon's attempted counter breaks down and Arsenal counter with Arshavin. The Russian latches on to Nasri's pass and fires wide after Bramble had given him a shove in the back! Genuine shout for a penalty there, but the referee gives nothing!
    • 75' Wilshere's cross comes in from the left and Chamakh's header rebounds off the bar! Arsenal getting closer now, but can Sunderland hang on?
    • 73' Nasri strikes... Great save from Mignolet!! The keeper got an outstretched hand to the curling shot and sunderland clear the rebound!
    • 63' Almost an instant impact from Chamakh as he pulls the ball back for Arshavin... Beaten away by Mignolet!
    • 40' The ball come sin over the top and sits up for Bendtner to volley... Tipped over the bar by Mignolet! Grerat save from the Belgian!
    • 38' Bardsley is back on the field. Wilshere plays it down the channel for Clichy to meet. the left-back plays it inside for Nasri, who hits a tame effort at Mignolet.
    • 36' The corner pings off the heads of two Sunderland players and sits up invtingly for Bendtner to try the overhead kick... struck right at Mignolet!
    • 35' A beautiful slaloming run into the box from Nasri and he gets to the byline. His attempted pulled back pass into the box is blocked for a corner by Bardsley.
    • 17' Sagna's poor pass inside leads to a Sunderland counter. Sessegnon gets past Clichy and his strike is palmed away by Szczesny!
    • 10' Gael Clichy flashes in a low ball for Bendtner, who just can't get a touch on it. Bacary Sagna keeps the move alive and gives the ball to Samir Nasri, but Arsenal's captain for the day curls in a shot that's an easy save for Mignolet.
    • 8' Kieran Richardson tries to weave his way through the defence and wins another corner for Sunderland, from the left this time. It's low to the near post and breaks loose inside the box! The ball is half-cleared and Phil Bardsley's shot from range is fired wide of the near post. Szczesny had that covered.
    • 14:30 Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Denilson, Wilshere, Nasri, Diaby, Arshavin, Bendtner; subs: Almunia, Rosicky, Ramsey, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh
    • 14:30 Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson, Muntari, Malbranque, Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan; subs: Gordon, Riveros, Welbeck, Colback, Elmohamady, Knott, Noble

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Starting line-up

      • W. Szczesny
      • B. Sagna
      • L. Koscielny Yellow Card
      • J. Djourou
      • G. Clichy
      • Denílson Substitution Out (62′)
      • J. Wilshere Yellow Card
      • A. Diaby Substitution Out (77′)
      • S. Nasri Yellow Card
      • A. Arshavin
      • N. Bendtner

      Subs

      • T. Rosický Substitution In77′
      • S. Squillaci
      • M. Chamakh Substitution In62′
      • E. Eboué
      • K. Gibbs
      • A. Ramsey
      • M. Almunia

    • Starting line-up

      • S. Mignolet
      • A. Ferdinand
      • T. Bramble
      • J. Mensah
      • P. Bardsley
      • J. Henderson Yellow Card Substitution Out (88′)
      • S. Muntari
      • S. Malbranque Substitution Out (69′)
      • S. Sessegnon
      • K. Richardson Yellow Card
      • A. Gyan Substitution Out (79′)

      Subs

      • C. Gordon
      • C. Riveros
      • D. Welbeck Substitution In69′
      • J. Colback Substitution In88′ Yellow Card
      • A. Al-Muhamadi Substitution In79′
      • R. Noble
      • B. Knott

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out62′ - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out77′ - -
      Strikers
      Yellow Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Subs
      Substitution In77′ - -
      Substitution In62′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out88′ - -
      - -
      Substitution Out69′ - -
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out79′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In69′ - -
      Substitution In88′ Yellow Card - -
      Substitution In79′ - -

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