Arsenal survived a scare in the Premier League as they managed to hold hosts Sunderland to a last-gasp 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Roy Keane’s men frustrated Arsene Wenger’s men with some firm defending and some quick counter-attacks in the first half.

Although the visitors played like the way they are best known for with the fluid passing game, it was the home side that got in the attacks initially.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott almost put his side in deep trouble in the 16th minute. The England international sent a sloppy back pass to Kolo Toure which eventually Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse caught hold off and pulled the trigger, but was denied by keeper Manuel Almunia.

In the next minute, Cisse unleashed an unexpected shot from the left. However Almunia stood tall yet again, coming up with a fingertip save.

In the 20th minute Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas had a go from long range, but his shot was cleanly collected by Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
Towards the fag end of the first half, Arsenal's Neves Denilson saw his grounder drift just inches wide.

Second half play continued in a similar fashion as in the first. The North London side, who were shocked by debutants Hull City last weekend, still found it hard to find open space up front.

In the 60th minute Gordon almost made a mess at his collection to Arsenal front man Emmanuel Adebayor’s weak volley. The ball slipped off the keepers gloves but to his luck, it landed in a safe area.

The introduction of Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner in Arsenal’s attack saw them turn on the heat in the last quarter of the match.

Robin Van Persie banged Bendtner’s pass straight into Gordon from close range in the 83rd minute.

Sunderland took the lead in the 86th minute with an amazing 20-yard strike from Grant Leadbitter.

Just when it looked like Sunderland were heading towards a memorable win Fabregas shattered their dreams scoring the equaliser in the injury time. The star midfielder sent home a header off a corner kick taken by Van Persie.

Sunderland team: Gordon, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Yorke, Reid, Richardson, Cisse.

Subs: Fulop, Bardsley, Diouf, Murphy, Chopra, Leadbitter, Healy.

Arsenal team: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Van Persie, Adebayor.

Subs: Fabianski, Nasri, Vela, Silvestre, Djourou, Bendtner, Eboue.