Arsenal battle to win over Sunderland

Ten men Arsenal had to battle to win a very hard fought game over Sunderland on Saturday as Santi Cazorla's strike proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win for the Gunners. It was a very solid defensive display despite Jenkinson's sending off in which was a performance of real grit, determination and character. Arsenal could have had more than one goal though as they had plenty first half chances to make the result more comfortable than it may have looked. Arsene Wenger was forced into making some changes to the starting lineup as a late injury to Koscielny saw Jenkinson come in at right back, and Bacary Sagna go to centre back. A position which he proved to be a revelation in after one of the Frenchman's best displays this season. Meanwhile Podolski started on the bench as Ramsey sat deep in midfield with Cazorla out wide.

Wojciech Szczesny was in inspired form as Arsenal beat Sunderland

The first chance of the game came in the first minute as Walcott cut inside and then hit a shot with his left foot which was kept out by Mignolet.

Two minutes later Walcott had another chance as Giroud slipped him in but Mignolet was once again in the way to stop the shot.

Giroud was to have the next opportunity as he got into the box before striking the ball inches wide of the far post.

It was all Arsenal and just after the half hour mark Mignolet had to be at his best to keep out a driven shot from Ramsey.

The Gunners then finally made use of all their chances as they took the lead on 34 minutes. Jack Wilshere managed to drive through the midfield and then find Walcott who teed up Cazorla who slammed the ball into the bottom corner.

Minutes before the break Walcott almost added a second as Giroud layed him off on the edge of the area but he struck his effort wide of the target.

Aaron Ramsey was to have the best chance of the first half though as the ball broke to him 6 yards out but Mignolet was in the way to make a great save.

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

The first good chance of the second half went to Giroud as he struck the ball from outside the area but it went inches wide.

Sunderland then had their best chance of the match as Fletcher took the ball on the left hand side before skewing the ball wide of the target.

Cazorla almost grabbed a second after he exchanged passes with Diaby but he fired another Gunners chance wide after getting into the penalty area.

Arsenal were then going to have to battle out for the rest of the game with 10 men as Jenkinson was shown a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Sessengon.

The Gunners then must've thought they'd sealed the win as Cazorla played Walcott through who then dinked the ball over the keeper but it hit the post.

Sunderland then had a fantastic chance to grab an equaliser as Fletcher stole the ball off Mertesacker before seeing his shot saved by Szczesny.

Fletcher was denied once more by Szczesny shortly after as the Polish keeper did brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar from the headed chance.

Arsenal were having to withstand constant pressure from the home side and then they missed another great chance as Bramble somehow put the ball wide from close range.

The final score finished Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Bramble, O'Shea, Rose(81), Cattermole(46), Colback, N'Diaye(68), Sessegnon, Johnson, Fletcher.
Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, Cuellar, Larsson(46), Vaughan(81), Mangane, Graham(68).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere(50), Walcott(87), Cazorla, Giroud.
Subs: Mannone, Miquel(87), Diaby(50), Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski. 

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 46,402