Replays of that chance show it was Arsenal's turn to have a penalty appeal waved away, with Alex Iwobi's shot blocked by DeAndre Yedlin arm. Again, Mike Dean isn't interested.

Grant Heath: Arsenal beyond lucky to get away with that not being a penalty.

Greg: Sunderland fans.Understand the rules!Blasted at a player from point blank range with his back turned isn't deliberate handball.

BBC Newcastle
Ex-Sunderland defender Gary Bennett at the Stadium of Light

"When Sunderland have broken things up their distribution has been poor and the balls wound up straight back with Arsenal. That will have irritated Sam Allardyce."

It may be goalless, but this isn't a bad game. Drama and chances at both ends as a lovely touch by Olivier Giroud tees up Alex Iwobi, but his strike from just inside the area is blocked.

Wahbi Khazri has been excellent in this half. He is an absolute bag of energy as he lifts the fans after that penalty appeal disappointment by winning possession and charging towards the Arsenal area but his ball into the box is cut out.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Newcastle
Ex-Sunderland defender Gary Bennett at the Stadium of Light

"It's got to be handball if Mertesacker stopped it - it was on target for a goal. He stopped a goalscoring opportunity, OK he turned his back but still. That's exactly what Defoe's saying to the referee." 

Should Sunderland have had a penalty? Fabio Borini's ball into the box is headed straight at Jermain Defoe by Hector Bellerín. Defoe shoots first-time and his effort strikes Per Mertesacker on the arm. Home fans scream for a spot kick but the referee waves away the appeals. Big call.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

A free-kick for Arsenal dead centre and about 25 yards from goal, but Sunderland's players are not happy. Lee Cattermole fouls Mohamed Elneny but the Arsenal man certainly makes the most of it.

Alexis Sanchez whips the free-kick towards the bottom corner but Vito Mannone is across to push behind with a fine one-handed save.

Image source, Reuters

Aaron Theaker: This game is screaming for Cazorla, oh how I've missed him.

Image source, Opta

Arsenal's frustrations in the final third won't be helped by Sunderland's stifling tactics. Only Jermain Defoe has regularly strayed beyond the halfway line for the hosts, as this average position map highlights.

Arsenal are lovely to watch when they try to build an attack but too often in this game it is falling apart in the final third. They pass it about nicely enough trying to find an opening, but are eventually forced back by Sunderland, much to the delight of the home fans.

Image source, Reuters

...Mesut Ozil swings the ball in but Sunderland thump it away and it ends up all the way back with Petr Cech.

Applause from the away end as Jack Wilshere peels himself off the bench and warms up for the first time this afternoon. 

Meanwhile, the Gunners have a corner...

Craig, Hertfordshire: Wenger take note - definition of stupidity: Doing (or not doing) the same things every season and expecting a different result.

Boon, Edinburgh: The amount of whinging by the Arsenal fans on the BBC feed and elsewhere is tedious to the extreme. Suck it up and show your support: the negativity doesn't achieve anything. 

Ricky Kelehar: Before Arsenal moaners get too carried away, we will finish above every league winner for the last 55 years...

At the other end, Olivier Giroud pokes just wide from Nacho Monreal's cross towards the near post. Alexis Sanchez has been quiet so far in this game, and the Gunners are missing his influence.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Newcastle
Ex-Sunderland defender Gary Bennett at the Stadium of Light

"So close! I tell you what, Petr Cech was beaten. Excellent effort."

...Patrick van Aanholt takes the free-kick, bends it over the wall and smacks it against the upright.

Newcastle and Norwich fans might want to go and walk the dog or something. Sunderland are looking good at the moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Some catching practice for Vito Mannone as Mohamed Elneny shoots straight at the Sunderland keeper.

Chance for the hosts now as Jermain Defoe is fouled 25 yards from goal...

The Sunderland players' eagerness to quickly close down Arsenal at every opportunity might not be part of Sam Allardyce's game plan, though. He is out of his seat and on the edge of his technical area urging his players to slow it down. Long way to go in this game.

Arsenal have only really had the chance to play their passing game in flashes because Sunderland are doing a good job of limiting their time on the ball.

Image source, Reuters