Arsenal battle past Black Cats

Arsenal had their work cut out in an epic match at the Emirates Stadium as they battled to a 3-2 victory over Sunderland. It looked as if Sunderland might cause an upset as they equalised to make it 2-2, but Robin van Persie scored twice including in the 80th to send Arsenal back to the Premiership summit.

Many may have predicted an Arsenal walkover, but Sunderland came with a gameplan and Roy Keane knew exactly how to cause Arsenal problems.

Arsenal started off very brightly and they took a very early two goal lead. The Gunners went ahead in the seventh minute when Grant Leadbitter was penalised for a foul on Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal curled in a superb free kick through Abou Diaby, but referee Rob Styles chalked off the goal as he deemed the kick was taken too quickly.

Ironically, Arsenal still score,d when Van Persie rifled the second take with a stunning free-kick that flew directly over the head of keeper Craig Gordon, and was superb as it rattled in off the bar.

Arsenal doubled their lead through Swiss defender Phil Senderos in the 14th minute. Senderos knocked Emmanuel Adebayor's cross beyond Scottish keeper Craig Gordon.

Six minutes later it should have been 3-0 as Diaby hit home Hleb's cross, only to be called up for a very debatable offside decision.

Somehow, in the 25th minute, Sunderland pulled one back as Manuel Almunia raced out of goal to halt Jones, but the rebound fell for Wallace who turned the ball home.

After half time, Arsenal were unfortunate not to go further ahead but for excellent goalkeeping from Craig Gordon.

Then Sunderland managed to grab an equaliser as Kenwyne Jones rose to head Liam Miller's cross past Almunia.

An unbelievable turn around in a match that Arsenal could've and should've wrapped up earlier.

Further frustration beckoned for Arsenal, as Kolo Toure lashed a 30 yard strike against the upright, and again with 13 minutes to go Theo Walcott should've finished from a cross from Hleb.

Walcott made up for earlier mistake by finally unlocking Sunderland's resistance after 80 minutes, sending across a pass for Robin van Persie who buried his second goal of the game. It was an excellent performance all around for Theo Walcott.

The Emirates stadium erupted as the third goal went in. But there was still plenty of time for controversy, when Paul McShane was sent off for a wild lunge on Hleb. Anthony Stokes again could've equalised but for a good save from Almunia.

Theo Walcott then later hit the post, but 10 men Sunderland could not rescue something in the 5 minutes of injury time as Arsenal continue their impressive march to the Premiership title to return to the top of the Premier League. 3 points for Arsenal - job done.