Playing without Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal squad and Sunderland have played to a scoreless 45 minutes.

Off a broken play in the 10th minute, Bacary Sagna easily found Samir Nasri who curled a left-footed ball that went directly to Simon Mignolet.

Nasri, as he usually does, has picked up the slack for the Gunners with Farbregas and van Persie inactive.

Nasri made a dazzling run in the 35th minute, weaving through the Sunderland defense and all the way to the goal line, where he earned a corner kick.

Bendtner did a bicycle kick on the ensuing corner kick that went directly at Mignolet.

The Sunderland goalkeeper denied Bendtner in the 40th minute by blocking a powerful shot.

Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson picked up a yellow card in the half off a hard tackle on Denilson.

The Black Cats had three corner kicks, but few real opportunities to score. Sessegnon ripped a right-footed shot that Wojciech Szczesny blocked in the 17th minute.

The Gunners are just three points behind Manchester United, who are idle today and play Sunday at Liverpool.

STARTING LINEUPS:

Arsenal:

G: Szczesny

D: Clichy, Koscielny, Djourou, Sagna

M:Denilson, Wilshere, Arshavin, Diaby, Nasri

F: Bendtner

Sunderland:

G: Mignolet

D: Bardsley, Bramble, Mensah, Ferdinand

M: Malbranque, Muntari, Richardson, Henderson, Sessegnon

F: Gyan