A long ball is played into Bendtner who brings it down and lays it to Van Persie. Van Persie turns and shoots towards the corner but Fulop makes a superb, diving save to deny Arsenal the winger.

A superb chance for Arsenal. A cross from the left hand side isn't cleared properly and it falls for Gallas on the edge of the box. The defender controls and shoots but scuffs the effort well wide. He knows he should have done better.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time!

Another Arsenal attack ends in a hopeful ball lifted into the box and once again Fulop comes off his line to gather the ball to the frustration of the home side.

Nasri brings the ball forward down the left hand side and plays it to Bendtner. The striker turns and has space to shoot but bends the ball into the arms of Fulop who barely had to move.

Time is slipping away for Arsenal and they can't afford to fall further behind Aston Villa in the race for the Champions League spots. Sunderland aren't done with this game either. Leadbitter leads a break down the right but his cross is too strong.

An excellent move from Arsenal. Eboue comes in from the right hand side and he plays the ball into the path of Vela who is in acres of space on the left of the area. Vela pulls the trigger but again drags it well wide.

A chance from nothing after a mistake from Collins and Ferdinand dealing with a cross. The ball fell kindly to Vela at the far post but he dragged his shot wide from close range. An excellent chance for the substitute.

Clichy makes a superb run from deep to get to the byline and pull the ball back towards Sagna coming in at the far post but his effort is deflected for a corner - Van Persie crosses and Fulop catches comfortably.

The home side are struggling to create a clear cut opening in this second half. Sunderland are defending well and Arsenal seem to be lacking invention in the final third.

George McCartney gives away a free-kick to the right of his own box - Van Persie whips the ball in with ferocious pace but Fulop watches the ball well to palm it clear.

Carlos Vela finds space on the left hand side and with his first touch he whips in a low cross that has Fulop diving to clear but it misses everyone and goes for a throw.

Sunderland are struggling to get out of their half now but the stadium is becoming filled with anxiety as the home fans fear the prospect of a third consecutive 0-0 draw in the league.

Arshavin comes deep to pick the ball up from Denilson and the Russian is able to turn and create the space to cross. The ball is whipped in towards Bendtner but Fulop comes off his line quickly to punch the ball clear.

Arsenal earn a corner as Collins heads a cross clear before it reaches Gallas - Nasri delivers deep but Jones does well in his defensive duties to head the ball away from the danger zone.

An Arsenal attack breaks down and Sunderland look to break as Richardson is flicked through by Jones. Richardson and Reid work a crossing opporunity on the left hand side but the final ball is easy for Almunia.

A slow start to the second half with the midfield play becoming a bit of a chess match. Despite Arshavin's impressive display you can't help but feel that he will be withdrawn soon after Wenger's fitness worries.

Sunderland earn themselves a corner, their first of the half - Reid will take - The ball is delivered towards the far post but it's too close to Almunia and the keeper makes a comfortable catch.

Arsenal start the second half the better of the two sides. Van Persie tries to clip the ball into the path of Clichy from the edge of the box but the ball runs away from the overlapping full back for a goal-kick.

Arsenal earn another corner as Nasri's cross is deflected behind. Nasri whips it in from the left and Sunderland can't clear, the ball falls to the feet of Toure who shoots on the turn but Fulop makes a good save.

Sunderland counter quickly and work the ball into McCartney who has space on the left hand side. The full back crosses towards Jones but he can't quite pick out his team mate and Arsenal scramble it away.

Van Persie swings the corner into the far post and the ball is headed down at the back post by Bendtner but Reid clears off the line to keep the scores goalless.

As we close in on half time Arsenal look to pinch a goal before the break. Arshavin pokes the ball into the feet of Bendter who crosses on the turn and forces another corner for the Gunners.

Richardson loses possession cheaply deep in Sunderland territory and Sagna takes the shot on from range and forces a corner. Arsenal waste the corner and Sunderland see out the danger.

Sunderland ride their luck in defence as Bendtner is played in behind and looks to square. The ball ricochets off Ferdinand and could have gone anywhere but thankfully for the visitors it falls into the arms of the grateful Fulop.

An excellent break from Arsenal moving the ball forward with some quick passing but as Van Persie breaks into the penalty area his touch just lets him down and Collins mops up the danger.

Ricky Sbragia will be concerned about Arshavin's influence on the game so far. The £15 million man is causing Sunderland all sorts of problems operating from the right hand side.

A wonderful piece of play from Arshavin on the right hand side playing a one-two with Van Persie and crossing towards Bendtner from the byline. Bendtner heads the ball down towards the far corner but Fulop dives to parry the ball clear.

Kenwyne Jones forces a corner for Sunderland where Arsenal have proven vulnerable this season. Reid and Malbranque work the corner short but in the end, Reid's ball in is a poor one and Arsenal clear. Sunderland need to make more of those chances.

A trademark passage of passing from the Gunners results in a neat interchange of passes between Song and Denilson on the edge of the Sunderland box but Song's dummy is well read by Collins who makes a crucial clearance.

Dean Whitehead breaks from deep and unleashes a right-footed strike from the edge of the box but Almunia makes a good save to deny the midfielder. All Sunderland for the last few minutes.

Encouraging signs for Sunderland. Collins wins the ball back and plays the ball foward quickly to Jones who cushions the ball into the path of Reid. Reid has one thing on his mind and pulls the trigger and fires the ball just over the top.

A swift counter-attack from the visitors as Ferdinand brings the ball out defence and plays the ball to Richardson. Richardson swings it wide to Jones to rolls it back into the path of Ferdinand who shoots and forces a good save from Almunia.

Sagna finds space on the right hand side, plays the ball into the danger area and it breaks for Bendtner who lays it to Arshavin. Once again he tries his luck and fires the ball towards the top corner but Fulop makes a great save to deny Arshavin.

For the first time Sunderland are able to move the ball about the midfield. Richardson spreads the play to Malbranque on the left and he plays in McCartney on the overlap, he crosses towards Jones at the back post but Almunia comes and catches.

Denilson rolls a through ball into Van Persie and the Dutchman skips away from Tainio and is one-on-one with Fulop. Van Persie lifts the ball over the keeper with his left-foot but it floats fractionally wide of the post. What a chance!

Arsenal work the ball well across the midfield and Van Persie finds space on the left hand side and crosses from the byline but Ferdinand rises well to head the ball clear.

Andy Reid misplaces a pass inside his own half, he gifts possession to Arshavin and the Russian races towards goal, shifts the ball out of his feet and drives the ball goal bound but it flashes just wide of the right hand post.

Denilson threads the ball from the midfield into the feet of Arshavin on the edge of the box but as he tries to control Collins comes in with an excellent challenge. The home fans giving their Russian new boy a fantastic reception.