Sunderland

This game took place at Highbury, on Sunday 6th October at 2pm. Attendance was 37,902.

Final result was 3-1. Arsenal's goalscorers were Kanu (3' & 9') & Vieira (45').

Here's the Arsenal.com report: "It was 'another game, another record' for Arsenal on Sunday. Two early goals from Kanu and a Patrick Vieira header just before half time secured a comfortable victory over Sunderland at Highbury. Although Jody Craddock replied for the visitors with seven minutes left, it was our side that again took the plaudits. By hitting the net in this match we took our tally of consecutive scoring games to 48 - extending the League record we broke last weekend. By avoiding defeat we reached 30 unbeaten games unbeaten, breaking the previous Premiership best set by Manchester United. And, of course, we are still top of the Premiership. Highbury was bathed in sunshine at kick-off. This may have been the first home game of October, but most of the full-house had forsaken their coats to enjoy the last vestiges of summer. On the pitch, the only change to our side from the midweek win at Auxerre saw Freddie Ljungberg replace Kolo Toure on the left-side of midfield. Our opening goal came from a corner won by Ashley Cole after three minutes. Thierry Henry whipped in the ball to the near post where Ljungberg challenged. Although the Swede missed it, Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen was forced to frantically push the ball out before it crossed the line. Unfortunately for him, it fell to Kanu who prodded home from close range. The second was wonderfully worked between two of the same creators. Ljungberg's cute back-heel released Cole just outside the left corner of the area. He looked up to assess his options and clipped a cross to the far post where Kanu popped up to nod past Sorensen. It was the visiting keeper's last real action. He was forced off eight minutes later after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge from Henry and Craddock, his own defender. Former Everton stopper Thomas Myhre took his place. We lost a little of our attacking vigour after that explosive start. But Sylvain Wiltord stung the hands of the new keeper on the half-hour. For their part, Sunderland lacked ideas in attack and never threatened. In first half injury time we extended our lead. Wiltord's wickedly struck free-kick was well saved by Myhre low to his right but Vieira reacted quickest and nodded home the rebound. The visitors began the second half with more purpose. Threats from Claudio Reyna and Tore Andre Flo in the opening few minutes were equal to anything they mustered in the opening 45. We were happy to try and hit them on the counter-attack. With victory looking assured, in truth, there was not much urgency. It is worth remembering that this game followed three tough trips to Eindhoven, Leeds and Auxerre. Our first real fluency of the half came with 17 minutes left when Wiltord crossed from the right and Henry low shot was diverted wide by the foot of Darren Williams. Two minutes later Myhre tipped Wiltord's goal-bound shot into the air and Kanu's far post header hit Craddock on the goalline. With 13 minutes left, Arsène Wenger made a treble substitution. It gave us greater thrust in the final few minutes, most notably when Ashley Cole's thumping half-volley found the side-netting. But it was Sunderland who hit the net when Kevin Kilbane crossed for Craddock to power home a header with seven minutes left. Still, by then the three points were in the bag. "