Arsenal dropped two vital EPL points when they were unable t break down a well-organised Sunderland side at the Emirates.

The Gunners passed up the chance to move to within a point of leaders Manchester United after a disjointed display.

Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet produced a series of fine saves. But Arsenal were also denied by two controversial decisions from the officials as they increased the pressure late on.

Sunderland had the first clear chance, on 18 minutes, when Stephane Sessegnon’s right-foot 20-yard strike was well saved by Gunners keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Arsenal’s best first-half chance fell to Nicklas Bendtner in the 40^th minute, but his well-struck right-foot shot was acrobatically tipped over by Mignolet.

Mignolet produced another fine save from Samir Nasri’s 72^nd-minute free-kick but he was beaten two minutes later when Marouane Chamakh’s close-range header hit the crossbar.

Andrei Arshavin was off-target moments later as Sunderland defender Titus Bramble appeared to push him over.

Sunderland’s Danny Wellbeck nearly grabbed an 83^rd-minute winner with a neat turn and right-foot shot which Szczesny saved well low to his right.

Arshavin was then denied by an errant offside flag and Bendtner by another Mignolet save as Arsenal failed to breakthrough.