Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal: Darren Bent strike sinks Gunners

Darren Bent's ninth goal of the season condemned Arsenal to a first defeat in 14 attempts as Sunderland claimed another big scalp.

The England international stabbed home from close range with 71 minutes gone to seal a famous victory in a tight encounter at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats keeper Marton Fulop had earlier made a fine save to deny Tomas Rosicky, but the Gunners failed to make the most of the possession they enjoyed and ultimately paid for it.

Mensah lined up alongside fellow summer arrival Paulo da Silva in central defence with Darren Bent playing as a lone striker in front of a five-man midfield.

Eduardo was handed a similar role for the Gunners with support from Nasri and Rosicky, although neither man saw much of the ball in the early stages.

But Fulop was called upon for the first time with just five minutes gone when Cesc Fabregas acrobatically recycled Bacary Sagna's deep cross beyond the far post to set up Rosicky 15 yards out.

The Czech Republic international drilled in a low volley, but the keeper blocked with his legs to deny the visitors an early lead.

Arsenal were almost in again six minutes later when Mensah's weak header gave Eduardo a glimpse of an opening, but da Silva covered well to clear the danger.

Fabregas blasted a 13th-minute drive just over the bar from distance after Traore's initial effort had been blocked with Arsenal dominating.

But Sunderland went close within three minutes when George McCartney's deep cross reached Steed Malbranque and he controlled before firing just high and wide.

The former Tottenham midfielder should have done much better when presented with an even more promising chance by Andy Reid's 19th-minute cross, but this time he slashed his effort high over the crossbar.

Bruce's men were enjoying their best spell of the half as the Gunners found themselves increasingly pinned back with Malbranque and Reid working hard to link up with Bent.

Bacary Sagna and William Gallas were briefly booed when in possession as the home crowd voiced their disapproval at France's controversial World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland.

But on the pitch, Wenger's men started to exert a measure of control once again with central midfielder Aaron Ramsey seeing plenty of the ball.

Rosicky and Nasri switched wings in an effort to cause the Black Cats different problems, but the home defence held firm with little difficulty.

At the other end, full-back Phil Bardsley had to get in a hurried clearance as Rosicky very nearly picked out Eduardo on the edge of the six-yard box 14 minutes before the break.

But Song and Eduardo carved the home side open a minute later and were desperately unlucky not to give their side the lead.

Song's powerful run from halfway allowed him to exchange passes with the Croatian on the edge of the penalty area, and when Eduardo stabbed the ball towards goal, the midfielder only just failed to get a touch as the ball ran agonisingly wide of the post.

Traore left Mensah for dead to cross to the far post with seven minutes of the half remaining, although Ramsey ran on to da Silva's headed clearance and fired in a bouncing shot which Fulop had to pluck out of the air.

Sunderland's rearguard was being stretched on a regular basis, but they were managing to clear their lines as the Londoners continued to press.

Kieran Richardson earned himself a talking to from referee Alan Wiley after tripping Fabregas as he threatened to burst through with 48 minutes gone.

But Arsenal were unable to make the most of the free-kick as the home defence stood firm once again.

The visitors were under pressure four minutes later when Bent set off in pursuit of Henderson's threaded pass only to see Traore intervene just before he could get there.

Manuel Almunia was called into action for the first time as Gallas attempted to shepherd the ball back to him under pressure from Reid, although the Spaniard made sure he came out on top.

The home side were awarded a free-kick within range of goal after Cana's clever back-heel fooled Song and lured him into a foul.

Reid took control 30 yards out and although he struck his effort well, Almunia was able to watch the ball fly comfortably past his left post.

Wenger's response was to replace Ramsey with Arshavin on the hour.

Fabregas did well to pick out Eduardo on the edge of the box with 64 minutes gone but although the striker flicked the ball past marker Mensah, he could not wrestle his way past the muscular defender to regain possession.

Bruce made his first change with 66 minutes gone when he replaced Malbranque with Campbell, who slipped into the Frenchman's place wide on the right.

The newcomer made an impact within five minutes, although he may not have known a lot about it.

Bent's header from a Reid corner came back off his legs and his strike partner pounced on the rebound before Almunia could get there to claim his ninth goal of the season.

Wenger immediately sent on Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela for Rosicky and Eduardo, but time was fast running out.

The home side were relieved to see Arshavin shoot into the side netting from Song's 87th-minute cross, and the Gunners were furious not to be awarded a penalty for Campbell's injury-time challenge on Vela.

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