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Last time Sunderland came to Highbury, in the Premiership, Arsenal wrapped up the points inside 10 minutes. The reverse cost manager Peter Reid his job. This time, Reid's successor Howard Wilkinson could afford a smile as his side exposed Arsenal's defensive weaknesses in the air after the interval.
The attendance of barely 19,000 also showed what the home fans thought of their club's commitment to the competition.
Yet all seemed so simple for Arsenal early on. Robert Pires contributed two early efforts before shooting them into a 12th-minute lead, with a 20-yard drive after the returning Giovanni van Bronckhorst pulled back a free-kick.
Sunderland looked dead and buried 20 minutes later when referee Alan Wiley allowed a shrewd advantage after Kanu was fouled. The Nigerian ran on to find Francis Jeffers who rolled a low shot past Jurgen Macho for the Gunners' second.
Arsenal seemed in little danger, even when Marcus Stewart flicked on Paul Thirlwell's near-post corner and Kevin Kyle headed a 56th-minute reply. That was before Macho made a crucial save from van Bronckhorst and Sunderland struck twice in two minutes.
Arsenal's stand-in centre backs, Igors Stepanovs and Stathis Tavlaridis, were caught napping as Stewart nipped on to Michael Proctor's centre to nod a 70th-minute equaliser. Worse followed as Darren Williams met substitute Matthew Piper's cross and headed the winner.
Arsenal staged a late rally and van Bronckhorst hit the woodwork with a late header, but Sunderland held out to celebrate a victory that Wilkinson hopes will act as a catalyst for their league form.
| Kickoff 6th November 2002 19:45 at Highbury | |
| Referee: Wiley, A. G. | Attendance: 19,059 |
Final Result | |
Arsenal 2 | Sunderland 3 |
R.Pires (12) F.Jeffers (32) | K.Kyle (56) M.Stewart (70) (72) |
Yellow Cards | |
M.Piper, 78, foul | |
Red Cards | |
Match Squads | |
Arsenal 2 | Sunderland 3 |
1. S.Taylor 2. R.Pires 3. F.Jeffers 4. G.van Bronckhorst 5. J.Pennant 6. O.Luzhny 7. N.Kanu 8. I.Stepanovs 9. S.Tavlaridis 10. K.Toure 11. S.Svard | 1. J.Macho 2. E.Thome 3. D.Williams 4. K.Kyle 5. S.Schwarz (45) 6. P.Thirlwell 7. S.Varga 8. G.McCartney 9. M.Stewart 10. M.Proctor 11. Rossiter |
Substitutes | |
12. R.Shaaban 13. M.Volz(81) 14. R.Garry(81) 15. Sobell 16. Thomas | 12. M.Piper(45) 13. B.Clark 14. Byrne 15. Dickman 16. Turns |