Late winner from Henry sends Arsenal fourth

A last gasp winner from Thierry Henry meant he bowed out of Premier League football on a high as he sealed a 2-1 win for Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon. The win would send Arsenal fourth, leapfrogging Newcastle and Chelsea. Henry came off the bench to make his last appearence in England before ending his loan spell on Thursday to go back to New York Red Bulls. It was to be the Frenchman's 3rd goal since returning to the club and his 229th in total. However the Gunners had to do it after going a goal behind after McClean scored. Mertesacker who was injured in the build up to the goal was replaced by Ramsey who got Arsenal's equaliser 5 minutes later. Arsenal made one change to the side that thrashed Blackburn last week as Sagna returned to the starting lineup in place of Coquelin. Kieran Gibbs returned to the side after injury as he was on the bench. Meanwhile ex-Gunner Seb Larsson started for Sunderland. 

Thierry Henry scored for the second game in a row to win the game for Arsenal

The first chance fell to Arsenal. Alex Song managed to poke the ball through the Sunderland defence and into Van Persie who on the turn, hit a shot which was comfortably saved by Mignolet.

Sunderland's first chance of the game came from a Seb Larsson corner. Larsson swung in the ball to the near post and onto the head of McClean, but he saw his header go over the bar.

Arsenal then created a chance on the break away as Van Persie raced forward and then found Walcott who fired his attempt just wide of Mignolet's far post.

The main talking point of the half was when Mertesacker slipped in trying to clear the ball. The ball then hit the German's hand but the referee waved play on - much to the displeasure of the home fans.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first real period of threat in the second half came from Sunderland as they put pressure on Arsenal.

Mertesacker was forced to deal with 2 crosses that were put into the penalty area as he headed clear on both attempts. However it was Szczesny who made a key save to keep the score level as Gardner hit a shot on the volley from just outside the box which was saved by Szczesny.

It was a game in which not many opportunities were created but finally on 70 minutes a goal was scored and it came from the hosts - Sunderland. Sagna passed the ball back to Mertesacker who tripped and then allowed McClean to take advantage of the German's injury. McClean raced into the penalty area before driving a shot past Szczesny and into the corner of the net to give his side the lead.

However five minutes later, Arsenal equalised. Arteta's shot was blocked and then came out to Ramsey who drove a shot which beat Mignolet before hitting either post and finding the net. A perfect answer from the Welshman to hit out at his critics.

Van Persie then had a chance to add to his 22 league goals this season as Arshavin found the head of the skipper from the left hand side but his header was straight at Mignolet and was easily saved.

The game was then won as who else but Thierry Henry guided the ball home to give Arsenal all three points. Vermaelen played the ball out to Arshavin who found space between Bardsley and Larsson to pick out Henry inside the box to send Arsenal back into fourth place in the table.

It was a great way for English football to see off Thierry Henry as he played in what looked to be his last League game for the Gunners - unless, he was to return for the third time next season on loan again.

The final score finished Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Richardson, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Campbell(87).
Subs: Westwood, Bridge, Kyrgiakos, Elmohamady, Meyler, Ji(87), Wickham.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker(72), Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Rosicky, Arteta, Walcott(87), Oxlade-Chamberlain(66), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Coquelin, Benayoun, Ramsey(72), Arshavin(87), Henry(66).

My man of the match: Thierry Henry

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 40,312