Sunderland have moved into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Stadium of Light this evening.
The visiting Gunners had the better of the early proceedings and went close to taking a sixth-minute lead, but Mikel Arteta's free-kick went just wide of the upright.
Gervinho, making a return from international duty, had Arsenal's next chance in the 28th minute. Robin van Persie released the Ivorian down the centre of the pitch, only for Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal to tip his powerful strike over.
Arsenal's failure to convert chances into goals was punished by Sunderland in the 39th minute. Sebastian Larsson's free-kick was cleared to Kieran Richardson, who instantly struck an effort past Lukasz Fabianski.
James McClean had a good chance to double Sunderland's advantage two minutes before the break, but he struck his effort from close range into the side netting.
Larsson curled a free-kick onto the roof of the net early in the second half, while up the other end Arsenal skipper Van Persie saw his free-kick deflected wide by Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley.
Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen rose highest to meet an Arteta free-kick 16 minutes from time but he could only head straight at fellow Belgian Mignolet.
Sunderland sealed their progression to the next round in the 77th minute. Stephane Sessegnon broke free of Arteta before sending the ball into the path of Larsson. The Swede struck the post from a narrow angle but retreating Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain knocked the ball over the line from the rebound.
Arsene Wenger's Gunners went forward in search of a route back into the game, but they were unable to force a save from Mignolet.
Liam Apicella
