A typically frustrating Arsenal performance for the first match of the season. We had the better of the first half, but couldn't put anything away - Parlour missing 2 excellent chances.

Sunderland started the second half well, and soon went ahead. Seaman may feel that he shouldn't have let Gray's hopeful cross on the break get through to Niall Quinn's head.

From the goal it was all Arsenal again, and for the rest of the match. Keown went inches wide, Kanu missed a sitter after Silvinho laid it on unselfishly, and the subsititute goalie made a good save from Henry - but probably shouldn't have been given the opportunity.

To make things worse, Vieira was sent off in the last minute for lashing out at Williams who'd been holding him back (and was shown a yellow card for it).

Bergkamp, Pires, and Lauren all came on from the bench.

Things will get better, and it's worth remembering that this isn't such a huge setback as many pundits will be saying it is. Sunderland, at home, may be taking points off a lot of teams.