Arsenal back on top of Premier League with victory over Sunderland</p> LONDON (AFP) - Robin van Persie returned Arsenal to the top of the Premier League on Sunday, the Dutch striker's second goal of the afternoon finally seeing off Sunderland in a five-goal thriller at the Emirates Stadium. Roy Keane's brave side had fought back from two goals down and gave the Gunners more of a fright than any other side had managed to so far this season. But van Persie's 80th-minute strike was sufficient to give his side a 3-2 win and lift them back above Manchester United, who had held top spot for less than 24 hours after their win over Wigan at Old Trafford on Saturday. Arsene Wenger made just one change to the side that won away to Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League in midweek, bringing in Abou Diaby in place of Emmanuel Eboue, who dropped to the bench. Sunderland were without an away win this season and made no changes to the line-up that was beaten by Blackburn last week at the Stadium of Light. Having won their previous nine matches in all competitions, Arsenal were confident of regaining top spot and their belief was re-affirmed when they raced into a 2-0 lead. The Gunners went ahead in the seventh minute when Grant Leadbitter was penalised for a foul on Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal initially felt aggrieved because Diaby had curled in a brilliant finish just seconds after referee Rob Styles blew for the foul. It was only a brief reprieve for Sunderland however. From the free-kick, Van Persie rifled home an unstoppable shot, the ball flying directly over the head of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon and in off the crossbar. Seven minutes later Arsenal doubled their advantage when Philippe Senderos took advantage of more hesitant defending to stab Emmanuel Adebayor's cross beyond Gordon. The visitors were fortunate not to fall three goals behind six minutes later when Diaby swept home Alexandr Hleb's cross, only for the goal to be ruled out for what appeared to be a very debatable offside flag against Mathieu Flamini. Keane had said in the build-up to this game that he was determined that his side would put up stiff resistance, and signs of an unlikely comeback were apparent when former Celtic winger Ross Wallace scored to put them back in it. Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia raced out of goal to halt Kenwyne Jones, but the rebound fell kindly for Wallace, who finished in tidy fashion. It was Sunderland who emerged for the second half with more purpose as they went in search of an unlikely point. And three minutes after the break their high tempo was rewarded with an equaliser from the head of Trinidadian striker Kenwyne Jones. Liam Miller's cross was headed past Almunia by Jones and suddenly the Black Cats had their hosts pinned against the rack for the first time this season. The equaliser perhaps came a shade too early though, as Sunderland began to sit back in an attempt to close in what would have been a valuable point. They survived a scare 13 minutes from time when Hleb's cross found substitute Theo Walcott at the far post only for the youngster to miss his kick horribly. But Walcott made amends by finally unlocking Sunderland's brave resistance after 80 minutes, turning superbly in the box and then sliding a neat pass to van Persie, who steer his finish past Gordon with the outside of his left boot. There was still time for Walcott, who is still looking for his first Premiership goal, to strike the inside of Gordan's right-hand post and for Sunderland defender Paul McShane to be given a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Hleb.</p>
Good win but If diaby's goal (would have made it 3-0) had counted which it should have i don't think Sunderland would have got 2.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DDRickyDD)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> no, they would have got 3.</p> </div></p> nah a third goal would have completely De-Moralised them.</p> Also what a rocket from RVP.</p> Thierry who???</p> </p>
