Half-Time Report: Santi Cazorla fires Arsenal into lead

Santi Cazorla has given Arsenal a 1-0 half-time lead against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

© PA Photos / Owen Humphreys

Arsenal started the match superbly and Simon Mignolet was tested early on when Theo Walcott fired in a shot from the right side of the penalty area, forcing the Belgian goalkeeper into a good save.

Walcott had another chance just moments later but the England international was once again denied by Mignolet.

Sunderland's first chance of the game came from a set piece, with Steven Fletcher testing the reflexes of Wojciech Szczesny with a good header.

© PA Photos / Owen Humphreys

Arsenal remained in charge of the contest as the first half progressed and were ahead 10 minutes before the interval when Cazorla collected a pass from Walcott before slotting the ball past Mignolet.

Aaron Ramsey should have doubled his side's advantage in first-half stoppage time but he fired his shot straight at the impressive Mignolet before the ball was scrambled away.