Press conference

Arsenal V
Blackburn Rovers
4TH FEB 2012

Saturday 11th February
Kick off: 15:00
Stadium of Light

Sunderland
1 – 2
Arsenal

AC Milan V
Arsenal
15TH FEB 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH

Interviews

Programmes & Features

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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

Full Time INCREDIBLE SCENES: What a wonderful turnaround. The perfect ending to a game which looked to be Sunderland's at one stage. Henry's magic strikes again to seal a magnificent turnaround. Brilliant.
Top Comments:
- alvarezhdo on Twitter says:
  
  Come on Arsenal. The king Henry again does it Three goals in 116 minutes played this season.
90

GOAL! - Thierry Henry 1 : 2 OH MY, WHAT AN ENDING! ARSENAL HAVE DONE IT! IT'S HENRY! The striker gets on the end of a cross into the box and guides the ball home. Arsenal fans are ecstatic behind the goal. What an incredible moment.
Top Comments:
- socceryumyum on Twitter says:
  
  Brilliant pass by Arshavin, and Henry shows why he has a statue outside of the Emirates.
89

ARSENAL ON THE PROWL: Ramsey's goal has given the whole team a lift and they want all three points. Van Persie draws a comfortable save from Mignolet with a tame header.
88

TIME FOR LATE DRAMA? What an ending we could have here. We've not seen much of Henry yet, now we'll see what Arshavin can bring to the table.
87

Substitution SUNDERLAND MAKE A CHANGE: Ji Dong-Won comes on in place of Fraizer Campbell.
87

Substitution ARSHAVIN IS ON: The Russian replaces Walcott.
81

TEN TO GO: Two quick-fire goals ignited a drab affair at the Stadium of Light. Are there any more surprises in store?
Top Comments:
- Doojobbie on Twitter says:
  
  our midfield has to realize that they will be the ones that will need to score since Sunderland is covering so well
79

KARMA IS AN ARSENAL FAN: It was incredibly unfortunate to go behind in that manner. Nobody was at fault, we just hope Mertesacker is OK.
Top Comments:
- alvinjt05 on Twitter says:
  
  If Mertesacker didn't get injured, we wouldn't concede a goal, but Ramsey also wouldn't be subbed on to score the equalizer.
77

DANGEROUS FREE-KICK: Vermaelen is the guilty man bringing Campbell down. It's close to the corner of the box, right on the edge. But it comes to nothing.
76

Yellow Card BOOKING: Tomas Rosicky is shown the yellow card for dissent
75

GOAL! - Aaron Ramsey 1 : 1 IT'S THERE FROM RAMSEY! The substitute has done it. He strikes, it clips both posts and then nestles into the net. Game on.
Top Comments:
- FourFourTom on Twitter says:
  
  Me and Aaron Ramsey have a rollercoaster relationship. Right now, I love him.
72

Substitution RAMSEY IS ON: Mertesacker is the man off on a stretcher. Song drops to centre back and Ramsey takes his place in the middle.
70

GOAL! - James McClean 1 : 0 SO UNFORTUNATE: Mertesacker turns towards goal but goes down clutching his leg. McClean takes control, bursts towards goal and fires home. Mertesacker looks in trouble.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  That is filthy unlucky right there. McClean did well, but that was just bad luck for Arsenal right there. It looked to me like it was Mertesacker’s righ calf.
68

ARSENAL PUSHING: They're trying to hard to craft an opener but Sunderland are proving so difficult to break down.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Sunderland's defence has held such a low line --essentially just in front of their own area
66

Substitution ON COMES HENRY: It's time to shine once more. Oxlade-Chamberlain is the man off, and to be fair, he's struggled a little bit.
65

SUNDERLAND TAILS ARE UP: They're building some momentum and troubling Arsenal. Szczesny has stood firm so far.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  First sustained Sunderland attack of the game. They haven't had a five-minute stretch like this yet. They are trying to pin Arsenal back
63

AND AGAIN! The goalkeeper pulls off another cracker from Gardner's fierce effort, thwarting Campbell on the rebound before the striker could cause damage.
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Brilliant goalkeeping! A terrific save by Wojciech Szczesny not once but twice
- SSohaard on Twitter says:
  
  Two brilliant saves by Arsenal goalkeeper . He is growing as a keeper and as a player game by game
61

WHAT A SAVE, WOJCIECH: It wouldn't have counted but that was fine goalkeeping. Gardner's shot skids through a sea of bodies and the outstretched Pole turns the ball around the post after seeing it late.
60

CAMPBELL PUTS IT WIDE: Well, well wide. Actually, it doesn't even make it out for a throw. To be fair the angle was not particularly kind but that was a good opportunity.
58

PROMISING STUFF: Arsenal building some pressure now. Rosicky is involved everywhere, but Sunderland eventually scramble the ball clear. The crowd comes alive.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  It is like a Premier League side chasing the game against a Championship side in the final minutes of an FA Cup tie
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal have upped the tempo a bit, they just need to move the ball around a bit more to make Sunderland do more work
55

BACK TO SQUARE ONE: Song misplaces a simple ball to Walcott, and that about sums up this tie so far. It needs a spark from somewhere.
52

BUT IT'S GARDNER: It's teed off to the Swede's fellow midfielder, who strikes towards goal. It doesn't reach Szczesny, however, and O'Shea blazes over.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  According to the stats there has been only one shot on target in the whole of the game so far
51

UH-OH... It's Larsson standing over a free-kick. It's a long way out but you don't bet against this man.
49

BETTER FROM ARSENAL: They've made an encouraging start to the half, coming at the hosts early on. They just need that all-important breakthrough, a clear sight of goal...
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  A good quick start for Arsenal in the second half. They are putting pressure on Sunderland, but can they keep it up and create some opportunities?
48

REF STILL NOT POPULAR: RvP is fouled (clearly) by Gardner and the Sunderland fans grow furious once more. Vermaelen's rasping drive from it is blocked.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  You just don’t sense that danger when Arsenal have a free kick. I don’t like it.
46

BACK UNDERWAY: Arsenal kick us off for the second half. Here's hoping for a much, much more entertaining period.
Top Comments:
- skybernj on Twitter says:
  
  Sunderland are certainly defending in numbers. That is a very negative way to approach a home game
- Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  There will be some tired legs for Sunderland. Its always tiring when you don’t haven’t had the ball and are just chasing it around. I expect them to make two or three changes early in the second half.
Half Time LEVEL AT THE BREAK: It's a fair result going into half time. Nobody is complaining inside the Stadium of Light, except for a few ten thousand Sunderland fans.
Top Comments:
- Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I think Arsenal need to get the ball forward a little bit more in the second half. RVP is holding the ball up pretty well, but I think it’s important that Tomas Rosicky gets on the ball more in the second half.
- desworld321 on Twitter says:
  
  would gladly have taken a 3-1 win over blackburn for a goal against sunderland who just parked the bus on a terrible pitch.
45

EXCELLENT FROM VERMAELEN: With Campbell threatening, the Belgian steps in with a fine challenge. Larsson's corner is flicked on but there's nobody on the end of it.
45

OFF THE WALL: Arteta's strike from the resulting effort cannons off the wall and back into play. Disappointing. The Sunderland faithful were furious with the decision there but there's nothing they can complain about in that instance.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  I haven’t seen much from Arteta free-kick wise. He used to do it at Everton, but then again dead ball is not one of Arsenal’s strengths
44

Yellow Card RVP FELLED: That'll be a free-kick in an excellent position as the skipper goes down under O'Shea's challenge. Fraizer Campbell gets a yellow. Just over 20 yards out...
Top Comments:
- kts_gunner on Twitter says:
  
  That was a clear fault on van Persie. Why is Campbell complaining?
43

EVEN STEVENS: The possession stats read 50/50 at this stage, which is not too surprising. Both sides have lacked that required something at the sharp end so far.
40

FIVE MINUTES LEFT: It looks like we're heading for a stalemate at the break. The home fans are venting their frustrations at referee Neil Swarbrick in the aftermath of their penalty no-show.
39

HUGE HANDBALL CLAIMS: Well, Mertesacker has certainly got away with that one. The German couldn't control a bouncing ball inside the box and indadvertedly used his arm on the way back up. It would have been unfortunate, but there's no denying that it hit him in a dangerous place.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Mertesacker very much could have been given a handball there. It wasn’t deliberate but it did give an advantage.
37

VERMAELEN SWINGS ONE IN: The Belgian strides forward and looks to pick out Van Persie, but the Dutchman can't quite dig out the shot. The ball eventually ends up at the feet of Sagna, whose powerful cross is blocked.
36

NO SIGN OF A BREAKTHROUGH: Arsenal are struggling to break down Sunderland at the moment, and vice versa. The Gunners are enjoying a lot more possession though, which is encouraging.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Sunderland have dragged a lot of players back., You have to wonder whether it is fatigue or if it’s a deliberate tactic to put three behind the ball
33

ROSICKY ORCHESTRATING: In a drab match so far, the Czech international has perhaps been Arsenal's brightest hope. He's doing a lot of work in midfield.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Tomas Rosicky moves the ball a lot quicker than Aaron Ramsey, and it allows Arsenal to zip it around and spread play around.
32

MAYBE RVP HAD A CASE: Replays suggest that Turner's outstretched leg may have brought the skipper down. It was all a bit clumsy in truth.
31

OVER FROM WALCOTT: That might eventually land somewhere. The England man connects on the volley first time and sends the ball skywards. The seagulls were a little more troubled than Mignolet sadly.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Didn’t have to gamble there, but it was ambitious to say the least form Theo Walcott.
29

VAN PERSIE GOES DOWN: Rosicky finds the captain on the edge of the box, who takes a tumble just inside the box after turning his man. It would have been soft had the referee decided to point to the spot.
28

OX NOT INVOLVED YET: The youngster hasn't been granted the chance to stretch his legs just yet, which has ultimately blunted Arsenal's attacking threat for now.
27

ALL A LITTLE SCRAPPY: Sunderland have lost their rhythm a little bit after a bright start. Campbell seeks out McClean over the top but the striker's ball is poor.
25

JOIN US ON TWITTER: If you want to engage in all this afternoon's debate, #ArsenalLive is the place to be.
25

HAVE YOUR SAY: E-mail Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke in the commentary box at studio@arsenal.co.uk
24

WE'RE BACK: The internet here at the Stadium of Light is giving us a headache. But this time it appears to have settled... apologies once more.
24

GROWING IN CONFIDENCE: The visitors are starting to play their own game and Sunderland seem happy to allow them the privilege. But can they make it count?
Top Comments:
- BruceOG on Twitter says:
  
  Sunderland are a plucky team, we have to keep midfield possession and frustrate them and use Walcotts pace on the break!
- hersimpleeyes on Twitter says:
  
  Rosicky playing phenomenal so far
23

WALCOTT GOES CLOSE: The winger bears down on goal and flashes a decent effort narrowly wide of the far post. Good chance.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Good effort by Theo. He is probably Arsenal’s most potent offensive option right now
18

Yellow Card RICHARDSON BOOKED: He upends Sagna on the right side and gets a yellow for his troubles. He can't have too many complaints.
17

'OO TO, OO TO BE....' - Those brave souls who have travelled up to the North East this afternoon are enjoying their day so far. They wouldn't mind a goal though, of course...
16

PITCH NOT GREAT: You can be sure Arsene Wenger won't be a fan of the playing surface here. There are divots all over the place, which natural doesn't fit too well with Arsenal's general gameplan.
Top Comments:
- BSAproducer on Twitter says:
  
  The Sunderland pitch is horrid can’t imagine what it will be like next week
- RoopenC on Twitter says:
  
  what a horrible looking pitch, there surely has to be a Premiership standard!
15

SUNDERLAND CONFIDENT: The hosts have started this game brightly and the locals are in good spirits. Szczesny hasn't been tested too much just yet but the threat is there.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  After 15 minutes Sunderland have evened things up. Arsenal have had a scuffed chance ad Sunderland have had a scuffed chance.
11

MCCLEAN HEADS OVER: The youngster tries to glance on a corner from the right-hand side but can't quite direct his header under the crossbar.
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  It’s taken 10 minutes for Sunderland to get anything together. We’re starting to hear some noise from the home fans.
9

RVP TESTS MIGNOLET: Song feeds the prolific Dutchman, who draws a decent low save from the Sunderland goalkeeper.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  All Arsenal on the moment. It’s mainly on the right side with Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Bacary Sagna. It's to good to have Bac back as it were. Plenty of overlapping on the right side. Arsenal are the side with the attacking intent right now
5

VERMAELEN'S UP: It's another corner swung in from the right but the Belgian can't quite get above Mignolet to head home.
4

STRONG FOLLOWING: Arsenal are backed by a hugely vocal horde behind Wojciech Szczesny's goal. Away support continues to be excellent.
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Not a full house at the SOL, but they can make a lot of noise. Martin O’Neill was a boyhood Sunderland fan and he has taken them to within sight of the top of the table.
4

APOLOGIES: We were suffering some tedious WiFi issues here at the Stadium of Light but they seem to have been resolved now.
3

EARLY CORNER: Arsenal win themselves the set-piece, but Michael Turner rises highest to head away.
Top Comments:
- Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Early observation, the pitch is cutting up already. Arsenal always look for a good pitch to move the ball around on the ground, but there are already pieces of sod coming up.
Kick Off AND THEY'RE OFF: Sunderland get us underway on a chilly afternoon in the North East.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON TWITTER: Join the debate at the usual place, #ArsenalLive.
GET INVOLVED: You can e-mail your thoughts to our commentary team at the Stadium of Light - studio@arsenal.co.uk is the place to get in touch with Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke.
BUT WE HAVE AN OX IN THE BOX: That's right, the youngster will be let loose again. He's the talk of Arsenal right now and long may that continue. This is one 18-year-old who seems to have the goods to match the hype.
THE O'NEILL FACTOR: He's a man of divided opinions, but few can ignore Sunderland's turn in form since the Northern Irishman's arrival on Wearside. Based on the last eight Premier League matches, Sunderland are the form side of the division.
Top Comments:
- Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Sunderland are the team in form right now and MON has got the magic touch. This is the worst time for Arsenal to be making a trip to the Stadium Of Light. But with Arsenal coming off of the 7-1 win, you have to think Sunderland aren’t thrilled about taking on Arsenal right now either.
IT WAS IN 2008: That's the last time Arsenal claimed victory at the Stadium of Light. Theo Walcott grabbed the only goal that day, and the winger would be delighted to do the same again this afternoon.
RVP SAVED THE DAY: The last meeting between the two sides came at Emirates Stadium in October. Seb Larsson's wonderful free-kick looked to have earned the visitors a point, but Van Persie's late winner dashed north-east hopes.
THIS COULD BE TASTY: Arsenal head into this one on the back of that brilliant win over Blackburn, while Sunderland have picked up 22 of a possible 30 points under Martin O'Neill. Which way will the pendulum swing this time?
SUBSTITUTES: Westwood, Elmohamady, Kyrgiakos, Bridge, Meyler, Ji, Wickham.
SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Richardson, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Campbell.
SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Arshavin, Benayoun, Henry.
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Van Persie.
Top Comments:
- Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arteta is the unsung hero. He doesn’t look for glory, but he does many of the unseen things for the squad.
TEAM NEWS: It's just the one change for Arsenal from last weekend's resounding victory over Blackburn. Bacary Sagna returns at right back, while Kieran Gibbs is named among the substitutes.
GOOD AFTERNOON: Welcome to the Stadium of Light, where we will be proving minute-by-minute updates of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Sunderland.