*Robin rescues win for Gunners*
Arsenal withstood a Sunderland fightback to win their tenth
consecutive game and return to the top of the Premier
League.
The Gunners began superbly and opened up a 2-0 lead inside 15
minutes as Robin van Persie smashed home a free-kick and Philippe
Senderos took advantage of some dismal defending.
Abou Diaby also had two goals disallowed before the Arsenal
onslaught ended abruptly in the 25th minute, as Sunderland mounted
their first significant attack of the game and Ross Wallace
finished smartly to pull the score back to 2-1.
The Black Cats were lifted by Wallace's goal and equalised three
minutes into the second half when Kenwyne Jones headed Liam
Miller's left-wing cross past Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal started to grow frustrated as the clock ticked down but Van
Persie slotted home Theo Walcott's pass after 80 minutes to secure
a 3-2 win, before Paul McShane was sent off in stoppage time.
Arsenal opened in a fashion that suggested it was going to be a
harrowing afternoon for Sunderland - but Keane's side showed real
reserves of strength.
The Gunners went ahead in the seventh minute when Grant Leadbitter
was penalised for a foul on Cesc Fabregas.
Arsenal felt hard done by because Abou Diaby curled in a brilliant
finish just seconds after referee Rob Styles blew for the
free-kick.
It was only a brief reprieve for Sunderland as Van Persie rifled
home an unstoppable free-kick, the ball flying directly over the
head of keeper Craig Gordon and in off the crossbar.
Sunderland were in further trouble after 14 minutes when Senderos
took advantage of more hesitant defending to stab Emmanuel
Adebayor's cross beyond Gordon.
The visitors were fortunate not to fall three behind six minutes
later when Diaby swept home Hleb's cross, only for the goal to be
ruled out for what appeared to be a very debatable offside flag
against Mathieu Flamini.
But Sunderland somehow managed to build on these shaky foundations
and pulled a goal back after 25 minutes.
Manuel Almunia raced out of goal to halt Jones, but the rebound
fell kindly for Wallace, who finished in composed fashion.
Arsenal continued to dominate before the interval and could have
restored their two-goal advantage, Gordon doing well to turn over
another powerful Van Persie drive and Senderos heading wastefully
wide when unmarked.
Sunderland hung on and were rewarded with an equaliser three
minutes after the interval as Jones rose to head Liam Miller's
cross past Almunia.
Arsenal were suddenly in danger of failing to win a game they had
dominated, and they were frustrated again after 57 minutes when
Kolo Toure's brilliant rising drive from 30 yards rebounded to
safety off an upright.
Sunderland suddenly saw an unlikely point in sight, but survived
another scare 13 minutes from time when Hleb's cross found
substitute Theo Walcott at the far post only for the youngster to
miss his kick horribly.
Walcott made amends by finally unlocking Sunderland's brave
resistance after 80 minutes, sliding in a neat pass for Van Persie
to steer a left-foot finish past Gordon.
Sunderland were still refusing to lie down, with substitute Anthony
Stokes bringing a fine save from Almunia and Jones shooting across
the face of goal with the Arsenal keeper out of position following
a fine run by Miller.
The visitors then lost McShane for a wild tackle on Hleb before
Walcott hit a post in the dying seconds.
