Arsenal were left frustrated in
their quest to close the gap on
Barclays Premier League leaders
Manchester United as Sunderland
battled through a goalless draw
at Emirates Stadium.
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goal
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After Sunderland started
brightly, the Gunners, who head
to Barcelona on Tuesday for the
second leg of their Champions
League last-16 clash, gained the
upper hand, as Nicklas Bendtner's
angled shot was tipped over by
man of the match Simon Mignolet.
The crossbar saved Sunderland in
the second half, while Andrey
Arshavin should have been given
a penalty and then had a goal
incorrectly ruled out for offside.
Arsenal were looking to close the
gap on United, who play at
Liverpool tomorrow, down to just
one point following an unbeaten
league run of 10 games.
Sunderland, meanwhile, were out
to avoid a fifth successive defeat
after showing such promise
earlier in the campaign and a first
win at Arsenal since 1983.
There was an early chance for
Steve Bruce's men when Jordan
Henderson got into the right side
of the Arsenal penalty area and
his cross was cut out by Gael
Clichy.
Arsenal could have been forgiven
if they had other things on their
minds, with the trip to Barcelona
on the horizon.
It took a while for the beaten
Carling Cup finalists to settle as
Sunderland continued to enjoy
the better of the early
possession.
Arsenal suddenly burst to life on
10 minutes as Bendtner was
inches away from connecting with
Clichy's low centre across the six-
yard box, before Samir Nasri's
curling effort was well held by
Sunderland keeper Mignolet.
However, it needed a good save
from Wojciech Szczesny - whose
last-minute blunder cost Arsenal
so dear at Wembley - to deny
Stephane Sessegnon the opener
on 17 minutes after the Benin
midfielder was left too much
space on the right of the Arsenal
penalty box.
The atmosphere inside Emirates
Stadium was somewhat muted, as
the home crowd grew increasingly
frustrated at Arsenal's lack of
usual fluid passing game.
Arshavin got ahead of Titus
Bramble at the edge of the
Sunderland area, only for the ball
to run through to the keeper.
Nasri showed great close control
to weave into the penalty box,
but his near post shot was
deflected behind.
From the resulting corner,
Bendtner's acrobatic overhead
kick went straight at the keeper.
As half-time approached, Jack
Wilshere chipped the ball through
to Bendtner down the right side
of the box, and his half volley
was dipping into the far corner -
but Mignolet tipped it over.
Arsenal were in need of some
inspiration if they were to
capitalise on United's midweek
defeat at Chelsea.
Sunderland, though, continued to
hassle the Gunners at the start
of the second half.
Both teams went through a spell
of being unable to hold onto the
ball, adding to the sense of
frustration.
Substitute Marouane Chamakh
almost had an instant impact just
after the hour as he burst down
the right and squared for
Arshavin, but his first-time shot
was saved at the near post by
Mignolet.
Arsenal fans upped the volume,
yet Sunderland refused to buckle.
Arsenal had a free-kick just
outside the area when Wilshere
was tripped by Sessegnon. Nasri
lifted it over the wall, but
Mignolet touched it onto the
crossbar before it was hacked
clear.
The same woodwork saved
Sunderland again when Chamakh
crashed in his header from
Wilshere's cross, before Bacary
Sagna drilled an angled shot just
over.
Arshavin darted onto Nasri's
throughball ahead of Bramble, but
just as he was about to pull the
trigger, the Russian was pushed
in the back by the stumbling
defender - but the referee failed
to give a penalty.
It was a massive let-off for
Sunderland, who almost snatched
the lead when Danny Welbeck's
shot on the turn was pushed
wide by Szczesny.
Arshavin looked to have beaten
the offside trap as he rounded
the keeper, but the assistant on
the far side flagged - even
though replays showed the
Russian level with the Sunderland
right-back.
Arsenal continued to press
through four minutes of stoppage
time, but in the end were left
frustrated.
OTHER SCORES
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Bromwich Albion
Final - Bolton Wanderers 3-2
Aston Villa
Final - Fulham 3-2 Blackburn
Rovers
Final - Newcastle United 1-2
Everton
Final - West Ham United 3-0 Stoke
City
Final - Manchester City 1-0 Wigan
Athletic

Arsenal expected something better than this.
Well, that is football for you.