ARSENAL 0 SUNDERLAND 0 (From The Northern Echo)

ARSENAL 0 SUNDERLAND 0

4:59pm Saturday 21st February 2009 in

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IT'S 26 years since Sunderland last won at Arsenal and a year longer since they managed a clean sheet on Gunners soil.

But in front of a frustrated Emirates crowd, Robin Van Persie and Sami Nasri spurned gilt-edged goalscoring chances as the Black Cats rearguard held firm to register an historic result this afternoon.

When William Gallas sliced wide a shot two minutes into injury time it summed-up an afternoon where Arsene Wenger's side wasted some great opportunities to kill-off a sprited Black Cats performance.

This draw takes Sunderland to 31 points in the Premier League and, barring a disastrous collapse in their last 13 games, their top flight status would appear to be secure.

Indeed, had the visitors been able to support lone striker Kenwyne Jones more effectively, they could have grabbed all three points. With Djibril Cisse withdrawn before kick-off due to an ankle injury, the Trinidad and Tobago international endured a tough afternoon.

Ricky Sbragia's tactics forced his side to sit deep denying Jones any service for long stretches of this match. The big striker battled gamely to run down the few half chances that fell his way.

But this result was achieved thanks to Sunderland following Sbragia's typically thorough gameplan to the letter. Kieran Richardson and Dean Whitehead were tireless workhorses in the middle of the park and George McCartney outstanding in what proved to be an excellent defensive showing.

Sunderland, now tenth in the Premier League, should be returning to Arsenal next season for another tilt at that elusive victory.