Arsenal Vs. Sunderland: Gunners Coming Into It

Sunderland are now looking a little more like a side who have suffered four defeats on the trot. Their defence was ripped open by quick play down the Arsenal left, and Gael Clichy's low cross was within inches of being turned goalwards by the onrushing Nicklas Bendtner. Samir Nasri, captaining the side in the absence of both Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, picked up the loose ball on the opposite flank, but his curling strike was straight at Simon Mignolet, the goalkeeper rather grateful that the ball was directed at his midriff rather than a couple of yards to either side.

Aside from that delivery by Clichy, Arsenal's cross has been both pointless and dire. With five Sunderland shirts in the box and just Bendtner to fight for the ball, crossing has mostly resulted in simply giving the ball straight to the defence - right back Bacary Sagna has passed right to a centre back three times in as many minutes. Meanwhile, Sunderland are looking very dangerous on the counterattack. Stephane Sessegnon gliding past Clichy and drawing a good save from Wojciech Szczęsny to keep the game level.