An injury time Darren Bent goal was enough to salvage a well deserved point for Sunderland against Arsenal on Saturday tea time at the SOL. The Gunners took the lead in the first half from a fluke Cesc Fabregas goal but the lads were rewarded for their spirited performance when Bent found the net from six yards in the fourth minute of injury time.

The build up to the game was still somewhat overshadowed by Captain Crazy and whether or not he will be stripped of the SAFC armband. In my humble opinion he should be and Bruce should have already done this as leaving the decision up in the air only increases the pressure on the player and makes more of the situation with all the speculation.

Also if Cattermole remains as captain, when he is inevitably sent off again this season, we would be back to square one so just get it sorted now and draw a line under it. If it was up to me the armband would be on Darren Bent, top player, England International, rarely misses games, but more importantly a great ambassador for SAFC on and off the pitch.

After watching Arsenal sweep away Braga on Wednesday night it was evident that if the lads were to get something from the game we would need to stifle Arsenal. Last season we did this successfully with Jordan Henderson terrifically marking Cesc Fabregas out of the game and after the result against Man City and resilient performance at Wigan hopes were high going into the game.

I was also pleased to see Fat Sam have a go at Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in the media saying that he's tried to make it so you can't tackle Arsenal players, surely this would work in our favour given the fact we would be getting physical? However, Allardyce then went on to say that he could manage Real Madrid, possibly a contender for ridiculous statement of the year alongside John Mensah's boast of not missing another game for us this season, so maybe referee Phil Dowd would take the Blackburn managers comment with a pinch of salt.

We lined up with Mignolet in goal, behind a back four of Onuoha, Bramble, Ferdinand, and Richardson, who was named skipper. To try and stop them playing we went as expected with five in midfield, Elmo, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque and Welbeck. Darren Bent started as the lone striker as Gyan had to wait for his home debut.

Arsenal had the first effort on goal when Arsharvin curled a shot high and wide but we hit back and Malbranque volleyed over after a good move down the left. While Arsenal played nice football we did too and it was all Sunderland until Arsenal took the lead around the 20 minute mark with a fluke goal.

Anton Ferdinand received the ball about 40 yards from goal and looked to play a ball forward while being closed down by Fabregas. Ferdinand's clearance struck the Arsenal captain bang on the leg and flew over the stranded Mignolet into the back of the net. The goal was against the run of play and a total fluke and proved to be one of Fabregas last contributions to the game as he soon left the field injured.

The set back didn't bother the lads who ended the half on top and left the field at half time to a standing ovation despite being a goal behind. The quality of football in the first half was excellent with Malbranque and Welbeck taking it in turns to break from the midfield five and support Bent.

After the break Arsenal came out the stronger and Arshavin was guilty of missing two chances before some neat interplay between Wilshere and Chamakh saw the former SAFC target race clean through on goal only to be denied by a great save from Mignolet.

Referee Phil Dowd then sent off Gunners midfielder Song for his second booking midway through the second half for a cynical block.

Arsenal were almost gifted the three points when Elmo gave away a penalty carelessly hacking down Nasri but Tomas Rosicky who had replaced Fabregas stepped up to blaze over to the delight of the crowd, and the miss lifted the atmosphere even more.

Gyan came on for his home debut and looked to have missed the best Sunderland chance of the game when his header was held by Almunia but the lads kept going to the end and were rewarded in the fourth minute of injury time. Reid's corner eventually fell to Darren Bent and the England striker made no mistake slotting home and sending the SOL wild.

A well deserved point and really good performance.

Final Score: 1-1

ALS Man of the Match: Titus Bramble

Aidan Crowe

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