Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Full Time FULL-TIME: Arsenal have to settle for a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season - but they had chances to take all three points. Giroud missed the best of them in the second half but there were plenty of positives, not least the performance of Santi Cazorla
90
POOR CORNER: Cazorla can't get past the first defender - groans all round at the Emirates
90
CORNER TO ARSENAL: Jenkinson wins it with a strong run down the right flank. Come on Arsenal!
90
FRUSTRATION: It looks like being one of those days as we enter stoppage time. Four minutes have been added on
87
JENKINSON'S CROSS: It's a good delivery but Sunderland clear before Giroud can get there. The visitors break and Arshavin is penalised for a foul on Saha
85
SUNDERLAND FREE KICK: Danger for Arsenal after a foul right by the corner flag. Giroud comes back to help out - minutes after he really should have scored
82
GREAT CHANCE FOR GIROUD! Oh my word, so close to a debut goal. Ramsey finds Cazorla, he slides a perfect pass to Giroud but the Frenchman slices his shot wide
Top Comments:
@MikeElston on Twitter says:
Sunderland bus well and truly parked. Can the little Russian work his magic? #AFCvSAFC
81
RAMSEY WITH THE SHOT: That's far too high though from the Welshman
79
Substitution SUNDERLAND SUB: Off comes Larsson, on comes Meyler
79
GERVINHO DOES WELL: He's looked the most likely to break down Sunderland in the second half and another darting run takes him into the box before it's snuffed out
Top Comments:
@SeanEndoh on Twitter says:
Come on arshavin you can do it #AFCvSAFC
78
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
77
Substitution ARSENAL SUB: Off comes Walcott, on comes Arshavin
76
GIROUD INSIDE THE BOX: Cazorla finds him and the new signing twists and turns to try and get a shot away. He scoops the ball across goal but Sunderland survive
Top Comments:
@KevRaymond on Twitter says:
Premonition of #Arsenal goal. Gervinho cross, Giroud header.
74
GIBBS DOES WELL: He slides in on Larsson to concede a throw after some good Sunderland possession on their right flank
70
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: And at the moment Sunderland are holding firm. Giroud will give them fresh legs up front though - Podolski was clearly tiring
68
Substitution ARSENAL SUB: Ramsey comes on for Diaby
68
Substitution SUNDERLAND SUB: Elmohamady replaces Campbell
63
Substitution SUNDERLAND SUB: Sessegnon is replaced by Saha
63
Substitution ARSENAL SUB: Giroud comes on to make his debut as Podolski makes way
Top Comments:
@KiwiGoonerGirl on Twitter says:
COME ON. We need a goal. #AFCvSAFC
63
WALCOTT CHANCE: Theo hits it into the side-netting after Gibbs' cross finds its way beyond the far post
61
CAZORLA GOES CLOSE: Gervinho darts across the box, his shot is blocked and runs to Cazorla, who hits a first-time effort just wide
60
#AFCvSAFC: That's the hashtag if you want to join the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
58
ARSENAL FREE KICK: Walcott is clattered and Arteta and Podolski are standing over the ball… Podolski curls one but it's just over the bar
56
GERVINHO BUSY: He's seen a lot of the ball today, much more than Walcott. The Ivorian runs the ball out of play after one dribble and then finds Gibbs, but the ball goes astray
53
ARSENAL BREAK: Cazorla finds Arteta and he finds Gibbs as Arsenal break but his cross lacks power and Sunderland cut it out
51
PODOLSKI DENIED: Gervinho gets away down the right and tries to play in Podolski… but the defender comes across to intercept
50
ATTENDANCE: 60,078
49
SUNSHINE: It's still incredibly warm here in north London - the heat might well take its toll in the second half
47
GREAT WORK FROM GERVINHO: Campbell gets past Gibbs on the right but Gervinho covers his full back brilliantly and wins possession
Kick Off BACK UNDERWAY: Arsenal are attacking the North Bank goal in the second half
Top Comments:
@TheRhythmBeats on Twitter says:
Second half is underway. Come on Gunners!!!!! #AFCvSAFC
45
WE'RE READY FOR THE RESTART: Use the hashtag #AFCvSAFC to join the conversation as Sunderland prepare to kick off
Half Time HALF-TIME: Arsenal completely in charge at the Emirates but no goals yet. Cazorla and Diaby went closest to breaking the deadlock but Sunderland were a threat on the counter-attack and Szczesny made two good saves of his own
44
#AFCvSAFC: That's the hashtag if you want to join the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
42
BRILLIANT FOOTBALL! So close to the opening goal. Arteta won the ball and found Cazorla, he played Walcott in and his cut-back to Podolski was cleared for a corner
Top Comments:
@Ross_Scott on Twitter says:
So unlucky for Podolski! Great move #AFCvSAFC
41
COLBACK IN THE BOX: He needed to cut that back but could only steer the ball into the side-netting. Colback has been lively on the break though
40
PER-FECT BLOCK: Mertesacker reads the play well and gets a block in on Sessegnon as he shoots from just outside the box
37
ARTETA DICTATING PLAY: He's been excellent in that deeper role, controlling the tempo throughout the first half
Top Comments:
@TheCobra14 on Twitter says:
Premier league is finally here!! Seemed like the longest I ever waited for the season to start! #AFCvSAFC
36
POSSESSION: Arsenal still enjoying the lion's share but still no way through. Sunderland haven't created anything for 20 minutes though. Patience, Arsenal, patience
33
ARSENAL FREE KICK: Gervinho is bodychecked and Arteta will swing this in from the right... no he won't, he hammers it and it flies over.
30
TENACIOUS C: Santi shows his gritty side as well, winning the ball back deep in Sunderland territory and then trying to play in Gervinho. The flag goes up though, that's a marginal offside
Top Comments:
@GiroudAFC_ on Twitter says:
Approaching the 30th minute here, we're look so good going up front, i say second half we'll gain more confidence. #AFCvSAFC
28
DIABY SHOOTS: A low drive from Abou which Mignolet sees late but manages to divert wide at full stretch. Arsenal getting closer
26
GREAT CROSS CAZORLA: Brilliant delivery from the left flank but it's just too high for Walcott and the header flies over
Top Comments:
@hassanbacho on Twitter says:
Cazorla is actually shorter than Arshavin. Who knew? #AFCvSAFC
25
GERVINHO DOES WELL: His direct approach is paying off on the left flank. This time he gets a shot in - blocked by Podolski - and wins back possession straight away
Top Comments:
@TAngleFootball on Twitter says:
Arsenal growing into the game now after after positive Sunderland start, creating chances now! #AFCvSAFC
23
CHANCE FOR WALCOTT: Mertesacker heads into the box and Podolski lays the ball back for Walcott but his left-foot shot lacks power
22
SCRAMBLE! Diaby picks out Jenkinson and his cross bounces off two Sunderland defenders and out for a corner as Walcott and Podolski lurk
19
BEST CHANCE SO FAR: Gervinho makes a great run down the left and cuts it back where Cazorla beats Podolski to the first-time shot. His effort flies a yard wide but that was very positive
17
PODOLSKI SHACKLED: John O'Shea has done a good job on Podolski so far but Arsenal need to get more support to their new striker
15
GREAT BALL: Cattermole picks out Colback's run on the right after Gibbs pressed high up the field. Colback cuts it back and Mertesacker steps out to intercept well
Top Comments:
@JamYourHypeee on Twitter says:
Come on Arsenal! Cazorla and Podolski to score on their debuts! #AFCvSAFC
13
PATIENCE NEEDED: Some of the passes are going astray as Arsenal get used to some new personnel and blow away the summer cobwebs
Top Comments:
@frasedogga on Twitter says:
Did Sunderland just head to the armoury pre-game and pick up our away kit from last season to wear today? #AFCvSAFC
11
COLBACK GOES FOR GOAL: He strikes it well and Szczesny gets down well to save. Sunderland finding it quite easy to create chances on the break
11
TYPICAL ARSENAL? Good passing, lots of possession, a bit of flair and a couple of defensive scares. Not much has changed on the evidence of the first 10 minutes!
10
#AFCvSAFC: That's the hashtag if you want to join the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
9
DIABY ON THE MOVE: Abou storms down the right, past two challenges, but his cross is straight into Mignolet's arms
Top Comments:
@beatriceluma on Twitter says:
Ha! Who needs RvP when we have Santi? #AFCvSAFC
7
CAZORLA IMPRESSIVE: He has already got the fans off their seats with some lovely touches. Santi had a knack of scoring from outside the box for Malaga - and the evidence suggests he can do it here as well
5
SZCZESNY TO THE RESCUE: That's a very good stop from Wojciech after Richardson played in McClean. Down the other end... and Cazorla is denied! Great strike, decent tip-over
Top Comments:
@SettsEl on Twitter says:
The atmosphere is amazing! Our fans are awesome. The greatest ever. #AFCvSAFC
4
CAZORLA INVOLVED: He gets a bit of time on the ball and sprays one delightful pass to the left flank. Then Sunderland break and Sessegnon beats Vermaelen but Szczesny claims his cross
3
GOOD PRESSURE FROM POLDI: He closes down a defender and then the keeper, forcing Mignolet to clear for an Arsenal throw
2
TACTICS: Arteta is sitting deeper than Diaby so he's in the 'Song role'. A sensible ploy - Arteta has the discipline to hold his position but can still dictate play from there
Top Comments:
@Awesomocity0 on Twitter says:
Podolski looks like he belongs. I'm loving it! #AFCvSAFC
Kick Off THE BIG KICK-OFF: Arsenal get us started at the Emirates - Podolski gets the first touch of the new season
LUUUU-KAS! Massive cheer for the new boys, Podolski and Cazorla. Cracking atmosphere at the Emirates - the sun is shining, everything is possible. Fingers crossed
HERE THEY COME! Thomas Vermaelen leads out the Arsenal for a new season. Come on you Gunners!
Top Comments:
@srnwitte on Twitter says:
‏Come on Arsenal! Let's have a good start to this season #AFCvSAFC
MATCHDAY SHOW: If you haven't already, log in now for live audio commentary from Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Stephen Hughes. Send them an e-mail via www.arsenal.com/studio
Top Comments:
@Tom31mallindine on Twitter says:
Come on arsenal let's get a good start to the season #COYG
IN ARSENE WE TRUST: That's the message on one of the banners around the ground. The boss guided his team into third last season. Can he go one - or two - better this time? Have your say #AFCvSAFC
TEN MINUTES TO GO: The players have gone back down the tunnel after their warm-up with Santi Cazorla and Thomas Vermaelen getting huge ovations. Now the pitch is being watered one final time on this blistering hot day in north London
What do you think of the line-up? Have your say at #AFCvSAFC and contact our commentary team at www.arsenal.com/studio
SUBS: Djourou, Santos, Giroud, Mannone, Coquelin, Ramsey, Arshavin
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Walcott
We'll have that all-important team news very soon. Will it be Gibbs or Santos? Has Walcott passed his fitness test? Have your say #AFCvSAFC
And what should our first line-up of the season be? Would you start Coquelin or Jenkinson at right back? Where should Cazorla play? Does Giroud start? Let us know #AFCvSAFC
So how are you feeling about the new season? Arsenal are currently top of the table (thanks to alphabetical order) - but do they have a chance of being there in May? #AFCvSAFC
If you're on Twitter, join the conversation at #AFCvSAFC - we'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
You can contact Dan and Stephen via www.arsenal.com/studio so let them know your thoughts on the new season, the new signings and any other Arsenal issue
Our first MatchDay Show of the Premier League campaign begins at 2.30pm (UK time) with Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Stephen Hughes at the helm
Welcome to a brand-new season and thanks for choosing Arsenal Player. You're in the right place for the best Gunners coverage, starting with today's big kick-off against Sunderland
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
25 JENKINSON, Carl
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
04 MERTESACKER, Per
28 GIBBS, Kieran
02 DIABY, Abou
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (68)
08 ARTETA, Mikel
19 CAZORLA, Santi
14 WALCOTT, Theo
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (77)
27 GERVINHO
09 PODOLSKI, Lukas
12 GIROUD, Olivier (63)
24 MANNONE, VITO
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
22 COQUELIN, FRANCIS
16 RAMSEY, AARON
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
12 GIROUD, OLIVIER
Sunderland
22 MIGNOLET, Simon
16 O'SHEA, John
24 CUELLAR, Carlos
15 RICHARDSON, Kieran
06 CATTERMOLE, Lee
08 GARDNER, Craig
14 COLBACK, Jack
07 LARSSON, Sebastian
18 MEYLER, David (79)
23 MCCLEAN, James
28 SESSEGNON, Stephane
25 SAHA, Louis (63)
27 CAMPBELL, Fraizer
27 ELMOHAMADY, Ahmed (68)
20 WESTWOOD, KEIREN
12 KILGALLON, MATTHEW
19 BRAMBLE, TITUS
18 MEYLER, DAVID
27 ELMOHAMADY, AHMED
10 WICKHAM, CONNOR
25 SAHA, LOUIS
Top Comments:
@ShayanTejani on Twitter says:
Santi Cazorla has been really impressive. #AFCvSAFC