Almunia and Song return as Arsenal move within 2 points of Manchester United

Arsenal needed a win on Saturday to make sure they were still in with a shot of challenging for the title. They did win. 2-0 thanks to goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Cesc Fabregas.

With Fabio Cappello watching from the crowd Theo Walcott needed to make a good impression right from the off, and he did. He got an early chance to spread his legs and got 2 shots on goal but he shot wide and into the hands of Craig Gordon in the Sunderland goal. Bendtner also had a great opportunity but his effort was deflected onto the bar.

Arsenal kept creating chances from Eboue and Walcott on the right but the ball would just not go in. Finally Arsenal scored on 27 minutes through a tap in from Nicklas Bendtner after great work on the right hand side again from Emmanuel Eboue.

Arsenal had been comfortable for most of the first half but Kenwyne Jones managed to sprint through the Arsenal defence but his effort was saved and then cleared.

The score at half time was 1-0 to the Gunners.

The second half Arsenal sprang into life again as chances kept on coming through Eboue and Walcott. Great chances also fell to Ramsey and Nasri but they could not be converted.

Sunderland also had their chances from Frazier Campbell and Darren Bent but they failed to hit the back of the Arsenal net luckily for Manuel Almunia who had returned from injury.

Arsenal had to wait until the death when they finally sealed all 3 points when Frazier Campbell fouled Cesc Fabregas just inside the penalty area. The captain Fabregas took the penalty and slotted the ball into the goalkeepers left hand side despite Gordon diving the right way.

The final score was 2-0 Arsenal and Man Utd losing to Everton 3-1 meant they are only 2 points off them in the race for the title.

My man of the match goes to Theo Walcott for his return to form and great work on the right hand side in Saturdays match.