Arsenal continue poor week with FA Cup defeat

Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup in the same week as practically being knocked out of the Champions League after the Gunners were defeated 2-0 by Sunderland on Saturday evening. A Kieran Richardson striker five minutes before half time and an own goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain meant the Gunners were out of the cup. With the fans and the manager hoping for a positive response to the defeat against Milan in midweek, they were left heavily disappointed as Arsenal put in another frustrating performance, as the Gunners only ever looked to score on very few occasions. Arsenal named a very strong side for the cup tie as Djourou came in for the injured Koscielny and Coquelin replaced Gibbs who was rested. Szczesny was also rested as Fabianski took his place. Meanwhile Gervinho made his first appearence since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Marouane Chamakh was also back amongst the substitutes as he also returned from the Cup of Nations as Sebastian Squillaci came off the bench to make only his 6th appearence of the season.

Arsenal were knocked out of the Cup by Sunderland in a week of frustration for the Gunners

The first chance came from a freekick after Van Persie was brought down a few yards outside the box. Arteta stepped up to take the freekick and it floated just wide.

Just 10 minutes into the game, Arsenal were forced into making a substitute. Francis Coquelin pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Sebastian Squillaci.

Sunderland's first attempt on goal came from Stephane Sessegnon as he found space for a shot, but it went wide of Fabianski's goal.

Van Persie then set up a great chance for Gervinho as he raced into the penalty area before hitting a shot which Mignolet in the Sunderland goal had to turn around the post.

Arsenal then had a decent shout for a penalty, however it was turned down by Howard Webb. Song found Van Persie who went down under the challenge of O'Shea, but there was only the slightest of contact and no penalty was given.

With 5 minutes left until half time, Sunderland grabbed the lead. Larsson's freekick came out to Richardson who drove the ball into the back of the net via a slight but crucial deflection off of Squillaci.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Sunderland.

The first real chance of the second half went the hosts' way after a Seb Larsson freekick curled over the wall and just over the crossbar.

Sunderland's next chance again came from a Larsson freekick. The former Arsenal man swung in the ball onto the head of Turner whose header untroubled Fabianski and went over the bar.

The majority of chances at both ends seemed to come from set pieces as the Gunners almost scored from a van Persie freekick which was deflected and put out for a corner.

The Gunners next chance fell to the head of Thomas Vermaelen from a free kick but it was comfortably saved by Mignolet.

13 minutes from the end of the game Sunderland went 2-0 up. The hosts broke away with Sessegnon who then played the ball out to Larsson who struck a shot which hit the post and then was fumbled over the line by Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The final score finished Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Richardson, Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Gardner, McClean, Sessegnon(88).
Subs: Westwood, Bridge, Kyriakos, Elmohamady, Meyler, Ji, Campbell(88).

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Coquelin(10), Song, Arteta, Ramsey(53), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Van Persie.
Subs: Szczesny, Squillaci(10)(53), Benayoun, Rosicky(53), Arshavin, Walcott(53), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 26,042