Arsenal 0, Sunderland 0

Sunderland extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games with a bold performance at the Emirates Stadium earning themselves a point in a goalless draw. The result was a mark of the club's progress under Ricky Sbragia as the Black Cats moved further away from the bottom three. Sunderland were good in the first half, causing the Gunners problems with some decent counter-attacking football.

But it was different after the break when the men from Wearside had to battle hard - and rely on some luck - to keep out Arsene Wenger's Arsenal who have been far from their best this season.

Marton Fulop, the goalkeeper, was outstanding, not putting a foot wrong as Arsenal poured forward in search of a breakthrough, looking very convincing, claiming balls in the air - Craig Gordon is going to have a  very tough job getting his number 1 shirt back.

But the breakthrough never came as the Gunners, who face AS Roma in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, fell further behind the leaders Manchester United.

Sunderland's Djibril Cisse suffered an ankle injury in the build-up to the game and it meant Sunderland lined up in a 4-5-1 formation. The game-plan worked, frustrating Arsenal who have drawn their last three Premier League games 0-0.

Teemu Tainio, Dean Whitehead and Kieran Richardson worked tirelessly in the middle of the park as Sunderland secured their third clean sheet in four Premier League games.

Andrey Arshavin, the Russian, made an impressive debut for the Gunners and could have scored in the first half but Fulop kept out his best effort.

Whitehead and Anton Ferdinand went close at the other end in the opening period as Sunderland gave as good as they got.

The Gunners would have been ahead at the interval had Andy Reid not been in the right place to clear Kolo Toure's header off the line.

It was mostly Arsenal after the break and Carlos Vela, William Gallas and Robin Van Persie all missed chances as the Londoners' hopes of a Champions League spot were dealt another blow.

But Sunderland hung on to record an unlikely draw and the players and fans celebrated at the end as if it were a victory.

Ricky Sbragia and Sunderland head to Spain now for a few days' warm-weather training.

For Arsenal, it was another frustrating day at the office. "Sunderland are free to do what they want. But I don't know if I would play like that if I was their manager," said a very agitated Arsene Wenger.