Having not taken a point from any of the top four last season most Sunderland supporters would have been happy with a draw at home to the Arsenal today. However when you’re leading them one nil in injury time only to be hit with a late equaliser it feels a little bit like a defeat.

The lads looked to be on course for the victory after Grant Leadbitter scored a wonder goal with five minutes to go but Cesc Fabregas struck deep into stoppage time to steal a share of the spoils.

Sunderland reverted to the 4-5-1 formation with a return to the starting eleven for Dwight Yorke. Craig Gordon started in goal behind an unchanged back four from the Villa game. In the midfield Steed started wide right and Andy Reid wide left. Whitehead and Richardson were in the centre alongside Yorke who occupied the holding midfielder role. It was left to Cisse to lead the line on his own with Diouf dropping to the bench.

The game was fairly even through the first half. Arsenal showed a lot of nice touches without hurting us at the back whilst the lads battled hard closing down and making tackles.

Our first real effort on goal came after twenty minutes when Cisse’s vicious shot from the edge of the area was tipped over by Almunia. Soon after Whitehead burst past Gallas and looked to have latched onto Chimbonda’s through ball though Almunia again was on hand to snuff out any danger. It was a decent start from the lads without being spectacular.

After the break Arsenal came out much stronger and put us under the cosh for long spells. Danny Collins and Anton Ferdinand were playing well though thwarting any long balls to Adebayor. George McCartney looked like he would have to be replaced ten minutes into the second half when he pulled up sharply after Walcott flew by him and flashed a cross/shot wide of the mark. Ringo was struggling and although Bardo was soon out warming up, George soldiered on.

Arsenal thought they had scored when Walcott fired a low cross into the box for Van Persie to convert though the ball had went out of play for a goal kick.

With half an hour to go the game really sprung into life when Andy Reid robbed Sagna of the ball on the left wing. Reid surged into the box and slightly over hit a cross to the unmarked Cisse when maybe a shot would have been a better option.

Walcott then made way for Bentdner who soon caused Sunderland some problems. Bentdner drifted in from the right wing to chip a ball into the path of Van Persie who was denied by a great smothering save from Craig Gordon.

We took the lead late on when substitute Grant Leadbitter produced a stunning strike. He took a difficult ball under control about twenty five yards from goal before lashing the ball in off the bar. The SOL erupted and Grant sprinted to the dugout in an emotional celebration which was clearly dedicated to his father who recently passed away.

Keano made a couple of changes as we looked to hold on for the victory with Chopra replacing Malbranque and then Murphy replacing Cisse.

Four minutes injury time from the fourth official seemed excessive and proved just enough time for Arsenal to equalise. Arsenal forced a corner from which Van Persie crossed for Fabregas to head in. Replays will undoubtedly show who was at fault but when a corner is crossed into the six yard box and one of the smallest players on the pitch is rising highest you’re going to concede goals.

Final Score: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 1

ALS Man of the Match: Danny Collins

Aidan Crowe

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