FA Cup Results: Sunderland too good for hapless Arsenal

FA Cup / Mike Norman / 18 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kieran Richardson celebrates Sunderland's opening goal against Arsenal

"Martin O’Neill’s much improved outfit can be backed at [8.8] in the FA Cup Winner market."

Similar to last year, Arsenal's season is falling apart in no time at all thanks to a FA Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland.

Arsenal suffered their second cup disappointment in four days thanks to a 2-0 loss to Sunderland at a blustery Stadium of Light this evening.

After losing 4-0 to AC Milan in midweek - a result that effectively ends their Champions League aspirations - the Gunners knew that the FA Cup was their only realistic chance of silverware this season. But despite an improved passing display Arsene Wenger's men looked disjointed defensively, an aspect of their play that has come in for so much criticism in recent years.

Sunderland took the lead five minutes before the break. An in-swinging free-kick was headed clear by Thomas Vermaelen only for Kieran Richardson to blast the ball goalwards, his shot finding the corner of the net via a slight, but decisive, Sebastien Squillaci deflection.

Richardson was matched for small amounts at [60.0] in the First Goalscorer market and the 1-0 Half Time Score was backed at a high of [8.2] In-Play.

Despite large periods of possession in the second half Arsenal didn't create many clear cut chances and, unfortunately for them, they couldn't call on last week's match winner Thierry Henry to rescue them this time.

The knock-out blow came with just under 15 minutes to go when a fabulous Black Cats counter attack ended with the ball rebounding off the post and into his own net via Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's tangled legs.

Sunderland were matched at a high of [3.8] In-Play for victory, with the 2-0 Correct Score backed at [22.0]. Martin O'Neill's much improved outfit can be backed at [8.8] in the FA Cup Winner market.