Arsenal rue missed chances in bore draw

Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap to one point at the top of the Premiership as Sunderland held them to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates. The Gunners had plenty of chances to score but Mignolet in the Sunderland goal had a great game saving nearly everything in his path. Arsenal also had a penalty shout turned down and a goal ruled out for offside. Arsenal had key men out injured for the visit of Sunderland as Song, Van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott were all out injured. Ramsey returned from his loan spell with Cardiff and started on the bench.

Arsenal had the first good chance of the match as Clichy swung over a ball into the path of the sliding Bendtner but he could not make contact with it. The ball then came out to Sagna who found Nasri but Mignolet was there to stop the Frenchman's effort.

Sunderland's first chance of the game fell to Sessegnon. Sessegnon managing to beat Clichy and then unleash the shot but Szczesny got down well to stop the shot.

Arsenal then almost had the lead. Wilshere swinging the corner which bounced off a Sunderland player and into the path of Bendtner who could only find the hands of Mignolet with his overhead kick.

Mignolet then had to be called on again as he stopped another Bendtner shot. Wilshere poking the ball through to Bendtner who struck a powerful shot towards goal but Mignolet just managed to tip it over the bar.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first big chance of the second half came to Arsenal and Arshavin. The ball being played through to Chamakh who found Arshavin on the edge of the area but it was not a good effort and Mignolet once again kept the Gunners at bay.

Arsenal were then awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area after Sessegnon had brought down Koscielny. Nasri took the kick and almost scored but Mignolet again kept the Gunners out.

Arsenal were creating lots of chances and were worrying Sunderland. Then another big chance came their way as Wilshere found the head of Chamakh but the header crashed against the bar and came back out.

The Gunners were then denied a penalty when Arshavin ran through on goal, but as he went to shoot it looked like Bramble had pushed the Russian over but nothing was given as the shot went wide.

With all of the action happening at one end Sunderland finally managed to fashion a chance. The ball being crossed into Welbeck who on the turn managed to get a shot out but a fingertip save from Szczesny denied him a goal.

From the resulting corner Szczesny was forced to make another save. The ball finding Henderson at the back post who on the volley struck a shot but it was kept out.

The ball then found its way to the other end again. Arsenal then were denied a goal which was flagged for offside although it appeared not to be. Bendtner slipping the ball through to Arshavin who rounded the goalkeeper and tucked the ball home but then realising he was offside.

The final score ended Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Denilson(62), Wilshere, Diaby(76), Nasri, Arshavin, Bendtner.
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Rosicky(76), Ramsey, Chamakh(62).

Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson(87), Muntari, Malbranque(68), Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan(78).
Subs: Gordon, Riveros, Welbeck(68), Colback(87), Elmohamady(78), Knott, Noble.

My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 60,081