FT:Arsenal 3-2 Sunderland: A superb game of football and Arsenal scrape the 3 points to return to the top of the table but Sunderland were brave in defeat and could well have deserved more from it.

Dwight Yorke has been absolutely superb this afternoon and he is being replaced in the final seconds by Ian Harte.

Walcott finds Adebayor in the box but can't the finish again as he sidefoots it beyond the far post.

On seeing a replay of the tackle it appears that McShane left a foot in well after the initial challenge and could well have deserved a red card but Hleb is fine anyway.

There will be a massive five minutes of added time now.

Paul McShane has been given a red card for a foul on Hleb as it looks like he went in with a knee after the initial challenge but on first look it didn't appear too bad.

Sunderland are taking risks now and Miller gives it away to Adebayor and he tries to curl one but only into the arms of Gordon.

Eboue gets in down the right hand side and can cut it back for Adebayor but he goes for goal and only finds the side netting.

Arsenal look like they are going to hold on but they will know they have been in a battle when they do leave the field.

Two goal Gunners hero Robin Van Persie is coming off and Gilberto Silva will replace him to sure up the midfield.

Liam Miller goes through and Toure nicks it off his toe, but only as far as Jones who hits it back across goal and Stokes is coming in and it only just evades him. So close for the Black Cats.

But back come Sunderland and Leadbitter has a real eye for goal and he chances his arm from range and forces a truly brilliant save from Almunia.

GOAL:Arsenal 3-2 Sunderland: Van Persie has surely won it with a superb driven shot past Gordon after good work from Walcott down the right wing.

Double change from Sunderland as Chopra and Wallace - who have worked so hard today - are coming off with Etuhu and Stokes coming on.

Hleb this time gets to the byline and finds Walcott who can't get it out of his feet now Van Persie on the edge of the box fires it wide when he could have done better.

Wallace is really struggling, as is Chopra, and Walcott gets in behind him again and cuts the ball back but Norworthy again gets in the way with Adebayor and Van Persie waiting to pounce.

Fabregas, Adebayor and Van Persie with neat inter-play and Fabregas eventually tries to feed Hleb but Nosworthy makes a great interception.

With 15 minutes to go Arsenal have given Gordon very little to do in the second half but they are renowned for late goals at the Emirates and they will hope to do it again.

Sunderland fancy themselves on the break but this time they commit too many forward and Walcott is able to come back down the wing, he then finds Fabregas who rather strangely mishits his pass out for a throw.

In the first quarter of this match Arsenal could do no wrong, but now the little intricate passes are not coming off and the fans are getting frustrated.

Bacary Sagna is being replaced by Emmanuel Eboue who loves to surge forward and that will be even more dangerous.

Arsenal are still struggling to get back into their stride here and although they are enjoying great possession they cannot create a meaningful chance.

Dwight Yorke strides on to Toure's headed clearance and tries his luck with a half-volley that skids just wide.

Kolo Toure launches a rocket from 35 yards and it beats Gordon all end up but comes flying back off the post for Van Persie who can't direct it back on goal.

Theo Walcott is coming on for Arsenal in place of Diaby and we know all about his pace and so will Sunderland.

Arsenal are trying to find their rhythm again but they are - for now - struggling to do that and passes continue to go astray.

Fabregas tries a clever one-two with Van Persie but the Dutchman keeps hold of it and manages to win a corner but Fabregas was in the clear.

Leadbitter now with an effort from range and but for a deflection off Toure that may well have given Almunia even more problems.

Unbelievable! Miller escapes down the right hand side and whips a delightful ball into the six yard box and Jones arrives to head goalwards and although Almunia gets a hand to it he can't stop it crossing the line.

The second half is underway and although Arsenal would be strong favourites, the last few weeks have proved how unpredictable football can be.

HT:Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland: Arsenal dominated the early stages but Sunderland have managed to keep themselves in it and anything is possible in the second half.

Two minutes of added time have been indicated.

As we approach half time Arsenal are starting to control things again with Fabregas, Flamini and Diaby starting to show their influence again.

Fabregas has been quiet for a while now but he manages to get good possession here and almost threads a deligtful pass into Adebayor but Sunderland throw bodies in the way and clear.

Arsenal could do with putting their foot on the gas if they want to ensure this game is over because Sunderland are starting to really come into it now.

Clever free-kick from Arsenal as Van Persie runs over the ball and leaves it for Fabregas who curls it narrowly over but Gordon didn't look concerned.

The corner comes in and Senderos glances the ball off his head across the goal but doesn't quite get anough on it and it drifts wide.

Arsenal finally manage to break out and Van Persie runs and shoots towards the top corner and Gordon makes a magnificent save to tip it over.

Yorke is starting to command the midfield area and he finds Miller on the edge of the box who tries his luck again but slices it well wide.

Sunderland are enjoying the better of the game at the moment and actually look like the may force an equaliser.

Here come Sunderland again and Jones nods the ball down to Liam Miller who fires in a shot and Almunia is forced into a very smart save.

Kenwyne Jones' shot is saved by Almunia and Wallace arrives on cue to smash the ball home and that makes things interesting.

Sunderland need a break - a shot would do - to get themselves back in this game and even to provide a little damage limitation.

It should be three but Gordon saves well from Flamini and Diaby is offside as he puts it in but Hleb did superbly there to find Flamini in the first place.

Sunderland are trying to keep some possession and prevent Arsenal getting the ball but they are not going anywhere and evenutally it is hoofed by Collins and Almunia claims.

There is number two! Kenwyne Jones almost beats Gordon but it deflects back to Senderos who - despite falling over as he hits it - manages the squirm the ball beyond Gordon and this spells trouble for Roy Keane's side.

Fabregas feeds Sagna down the right and the full-back whips a superb ball in to the near post where Adebayor launches himself and Gordon makes a superb save to deny him.

Sorry Sunderland fans but Arsenal are playing their usual brand of champagne football and they could end up with at least 4 or 5 goals if the Black Cats don't get some sort of control soon.

Stunning! Van Persie lashes the free-kick off the underside of the bar and Gordon had absolutely no chance with that. 1-0 Arsenal.

Fabregas has the ball in the net with a superb 20-yard strike but the referee has already awarded the free-kick.

Adebayor is so good with the ball at his feet and he almost manufactures a chance from nothing but Nosworthy is there to block.

Kenwyne Jones is booked immediately by Styles for the challenge and Almunia is up.

Clichy has a few problems on the edge of his own box and Almunia is under pressure from Jones who slides in unfairly with the goalkeeper.

Sunderland have started in a clear 4-5-1 formation to try and contain Arsenal but there are few - if any - better at breaking down such a defence.

Within seconds of kick off Van Persie and Adebayor combine to give Gordon the first work of what looks like being a busy afternoon for the Scottish keeper.

Rob Styles is the official in front of another packed house at the Emirates with the Gunners looking to fire their way back to the top of the table.

Sunderland: Gordon, McShane, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Leadbitter, Miller, Wallace, Yorke, Chopra, Jones

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby, Adebayor, Van Persie

Roy Keane was often the villain in the eyes of Arsenal fans during his days at Manchester United and he also names an unchanged side from last week's defeat at home to Blackburn.

Arsene Wenger names an unchanged side from the one that triumphed at West Ham last week as player of the season - so far - Cesc Fabregas is in midfield while Van Persie and Adebayor continue up front.

League leaders Arsenal have been in top-form this season with goals from all angles while Sunderland have been good and bad at times before they visit the Emirates.