Source: Northern_Echo
Brilliant Mignolet denies Gunners
SUNDERLAND learn today the extent of the knee injury to Craig Gordon. But he is in danger of becoming the Black Cats' forgotten man, such was the quality of his young understudy Simon Mignolet's display on Saturday.[LNB] At the Emirates, Sunderland's defensive effort made up for what manager Steve Bruce branded a 'shocking' display at Everton the previous week, keeping their 13th clean sheet of the season to deny Arsenal a march on league leaders Manchester United.[LNB] But while Sunderland undoubtedly did a big favour for his old employers, Bruce will be rightly comforted that his own team's aspirations of a Europa League qualification got back on track with an impressive result in North London.[LNB] Mignolet put in a man-of-the-match performance, twice denying Nicklas Bendtner either side of a fine one-handed save from a Samir Nasri free-kick.[LNB] Injuries have threatened to derail Sunderland's European push, but Saturday's return of Danny Welbeck, paired with Fraizer Campbell's recovery from injury, has painted a healthier picture on Wearside.[LNB] But while Michael Turner is close to a return, the pairing of Titus Bramble and John Mensah were more than comfortable keeping Arsenal at bay. All in all, Bruce was delighted with his backline.[LNB] He said: "To come here, you need your defenders to play well and you need your goalkeeper to play well and that's what they have done."[LNB] At times, Sunderland's goal led a charmed life - the crossbar denying Maroane Chamakh in the second half after Mignolet had denied Nasri moments earlier - but in the first half, it was the visitors who were the brighter team.[LNB] Bruce added: "We needed a response after last week, we were shocking at Everton. With the injuries we've had it has been very difficult. But the response was terrific, especially in the first half.[LNB] "I can't remember being as comfortable at Arsenal for a long time.[LNB] "We had a few hairy moments in the last 10-15 minutes, but overall I thought we deserved something from it."[LNB] Sunderland's attacking threat comprised Steed Malbranque - restored to the team ahead of Ahmed Elmohamady - Asamoah Gyan and Stephane Sessegnon, with Kieran Richardson sitting deeper alongside Jordan Henderson.[LNB] It was their ball retention in the first half which was so impressive, managing to keep Arsenal out of the game for long spells.[LNB] Indeed, Sessegnon could have given his side the lead on 17 minutes when the Benin international broke free and fired in a shot. Wojciech Szczesny parried it centrally, and had Gyan been following in he would surely have scored.[LNB] Three minutes later, Jack Wilshere, Arsenal's stand-out player, shot straight at Mignolet.[LNB] On 26 minutes, Malbranque's sublime close control brought the Belgian-born Frenchman into Arsenal's box, but he could not get a shot in and the ball was ushered out for a goal-kick.[LNB] At the other end, Nasri - minus his beloved snood - aped his countryman with a similar waltz through the Sunderland defence, which Phil Bardsley halted.[LNB] Mignolet stood firm for a couple of half-chances from Bendtner and Nasri, but it was five minutes before the break when the young Belgian made arguably the save of the match.[LNB] Wilshere released Bendtner with a sublime chipped through-ball, and the Dane powered between Mensah and Bramble and arrowed a shot which Mignolet superbly tipped over the bar.[LNB] How important it was. At times, the second half was an all-out assault on Sunderland's goal. Arsenal strove to get their goal, but they failed thanks chiefly to the efforts of Bramble and Mignolet.[LNB] The hosts threw Chamakh into the fray to provide assistance to the lone Bendtner, and his introduction proved to be the catalyst for a string of Arsenal attacks.[LNB] Firstly, the Moroccan squared for Andrey Arshavin, who shot straight at Mignolet, then his header hit the bar on 75 minutes. Those chances came either side of a Nasri free-kick, which Mignolet pawed into safety.[LNB] Arshavin did put the ball in the net, but was adjudged to be offside by the linesman.[LNB] However, replays showed the Russian to be level with Sunderland's last man.[LNB] The home fans were not to know about that miscarriage of justice, but they certainly felt aggrieved ten minutes from the end.[LNB] Arshavin again wriggled into space and, with Bramble matching him for pace, Sunderland's centre-half lost his balance and threw the midfielder off his stride.[LNB] The response of both managers was predictable - Wenger argued it should have been a penalty, while Bruce felt that would have been harsh.[LNB] In referee Anthony Taylor's case, those decisions have been made before.[LNB] He was the referee who infuriated Bruce when he sent Lee Cattermole off on the first day of the season.[LNB] At the other end, Gyan, as hard as he worked, could not get a foothold in the game.[LNB] He will have been mightily relieved to see the introduction of Welbeck on 69 minutes to join him in attack.[LNB] It was the on-loan Manchester United player who gave Sunderland their best chance of the game six minutes from time.[LNB] He superbly controlled Sessegnon's pass, turned on a sixpence and brought a fine save out of Szczesny, who tipped the ball around his right-hand post.[LNB] But the plaudits went to Mignolet, who made a stunning save from Bendtner at the death to earn Sunderland a well-deserved point.[LNB] It was Mignolet's eighth clean sheet in the Premier League - three more than Gordon. However, Mignolet was not one to boast about his superiority.[LNB] He said: "I've no idea how many clean sheets I've kept this season.[LNB] "Obviously Craig has played in a lot of the games but I think that is 13 in the league this season, which is an impressive figure.[LNB] "I'm not that sort of player who keeps statistics. Football doesn't work like that. I just try to make sure I'm at my best for the next game and the game after that."[LNB] The goalkeeper's success on Wearside is no surprise to Bruce, who said of his young custodian: "For me he's been a great find for us. We see him in training every day, he's got the potential to be a fantastic keeper.[LNB] "It's a pity he's not English because he's got a huge future ahead of him.[LNB] "We find out on Monday the extent of Craig's injury and we'll see how he goes from there.[LNB] "To have Simon is great, because we need competition for places, and he gives us that. We need that competition in our outfield positions. That's starting to happen now and let's see where it will take us."[LNB] Mignolet concluded: "It is very unfortunate for Craig to pick up another injury.[LNB] "I hope he gets back soon because it's very important for the team that we have that level of competition in every area.[LNB] "I wish him all the best for his trip to Sweden and hopefully he will get some good news."[LNB] Matchfacts Bookings: Richardson (23, foul), Henderson (59, foul), Wilshere (65, dissent) Koscielny (82, foul), Nasri (85, dissent), Colback (90+3, foul)[LNB] Referee: Anthony Taylor (Stoke): Incensed the home fans with some kind decisions to the visitors, but was consistent throughout. 6[LNB] Attendance: 60,081[LNB] Entertainment: ***[LNB] ARSENAL (4-5-1): Szczesny 6; Sagna 6, Clichy 6, Koscielny 5, Djourou 6; Denilson 5 (Chamakh 62, 7), Diaby 6 (Rosicky 77), Nasri 7, WILSHERE 8, Arshavin 6; Bendtner 7. Subs (not used): Almunia (gk), Ramsey, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs.[LNB] SUNDERLAND (4-5-1): MIGNOLET 8; Ferdinand 6, Mensah 7, Bramble 8, Bardsley 6; Malbranque 7, Sessegnon 7, Muntari 7, Henderson 7, Richardson 6; Gyan 6. Subs:Welbeck (for Malbranque, 69, 7) Elmohamady (for Gyan 79) Colback (for Henderson 88)(not used): Gordon (gk), Riveros, Knott, R Noble.[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] SIMON Mignolet kept Sunderland in the game with three important saves at key moments. The Black Cats are in good hands with the Belgian[LNB]
