Arsenal Vs. Sunderland: Visitors Edging Game Early

Arsene Wenger's merry band of passing wizards have had a less than magical start to the game, playing exceptionally sloppy football in the early stages of Arsenal's clash against Sunderland at the Emirates. It's not like them to simply make unforced errors in the midfield (having panicky moments at the back, however, is far for the course), but Denilson did just that, passing the ball straight to Stephane Sessegnon to launch a Sunderland attack. Jordan Henderson's cross was very nearly turned in by Steed Malbranque at the near post, but Johan Djourou got there to clear just in front of the midfielder. A few minutes later and defender Anton Ferndinand had a golden chance to score, unmarked from a corner at the near post, but Arsenal somehow scrambled clear.

So, on the significantattack-o-meter, Sunderland are in the lead. Arsenal have responded with... more passes in midfield, which appear to be lulling their opponents into something of a stupor - they were very nearly caught out by a pair of long balls over the top to Nicklas Bentdner, but he was marshalled out of bounds in the first instance and then let the ball bounce off his knee and straight to Simon Mignolet for the second.