Sunderland Scupper Arsenal's Season

Arsenal’s seven year wait without a trophy now looks set to continue, after they were dumped out of this year’s FA cup by a determined Sunderland side. A first half strike from Kieran Richardson and an unfortunate own goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain concluded to a 2-0 defeat for the Gunners, which came off the back of their Champions league hammering to AC Milan in mid-week.

The first half began with Arsenal looking to press their opponents and put right the wrongs they suffered in Milan. But after an instant setback when fullback Francis Coquelin limped off the pitch with a hamstring problem, Arsene Wenger’s side struggled to re-find their early rhythm.

After the return of Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole, Martin O’Neil decided to play five in midfield leaving out striker Fraizer Campbell from when the sides met in the league just a week ago. The extra body made it difficult for Arsenal, as only Gervinho’s effort on 27 minutes tested Sunderland keeper Mignolet. 

A resolute home side slowly grew in confidence, and after a cheap free kick was given away by Arsenal they took their chance before the break. A Sebastian Larsson delivery was cleared by the Gunners only for Kieran Richardson  to fire the ball into the bottom corner  with a sweetly struck volley to lift the home fans off their seats and believing they could cause an upset. 

Throughout the second half Arsenal looked vulnerable to the pace of Sessegnon and McClean, as the hosts displayed more effort and determination than their opponents. Wenger introduced Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky to try and save the match, but his side still lacked the quality to break down the opposition. 

Sunderland’s second came 12 minutes from time when the ever present threat of Sessegnon broke clear of the Arsenal defence to pick out Larsson whose shot rebounded off the post to be nudged over the line by the backtracking Oxlade-Chamberlain. Sunderland were then never really troubled, as O’Neil’s ever improving side booked their place in the quarter final of the competition. While the defeat for Arsenal leaves them with another session without a trophy and a week to forget.