Sunderland totally outclassed

The harsher observer might describe them as hopeless and clueless, but let's be kind to Sunderland and stop just short of that.

If we in the North-East don't show compassion towards the side that provided the opposition for what amounted to little more than a glorified Arsenal training session, who will?

Not many people are going to do anything but speak ill of Peter Reid and his side after this complete humiliation before a national television audience.

Arsenal settled for three goals, but had they had the inclination to score ten or more they might just have reached double figures.

After a tough Champions League workout in Auxerre on Tuesday, they could scarcely have wished for such a pleasant Sunday afternoon stroll.

And following the hard-fought win over Aston Villa and the destruction of Cambridge United, Sunderland were given a stark reminder of their place as one of the Premiership also-rans.

It was a privilege to be at Highbury yesterday, if only to rejoice in the sumptuous football that Arsenal served up.

Even those wearing Sunderland colours can have felt nothing but admiration for the Double winners, and envy towards those lucky people who watch them every week.

But the confidence that Reid's men oozed after the Villa and Cambridge games could be seen seeping out of the players with the passing of every minute of their Highbury Hell.

The Gunners were showboating at times.

Never mind Boring Arsenal; this was Arrogant Arsenal, and at times there was nothing Sunderland could do but stand back and take in a footballing lesson.

After spelling out the dangers of starting slowly, Reid was apoplectic after just eight minutes.

By then, Arsenal were already two goals to the good, and Sunderland's gameplan - to frustrate the home team by packing the midfield - meant about as much as an ITV Digital contract.

The torture started after precisely two minutes, eight seconds. Having won the corner with a piece of outrageous skill, Thierry Henry arrowed the flag-kick low towards the near post.

Darren Williams and Kevin Kilbane, plus Freddie Ljungberg, all missed the cross as it scudded goalwards and Thomas Sorensen had to shovel the ball off the line.

It fell to Kanu four yards out, and he stretched out one of his long legs that seem to go on forever to divert the loose ball into the net.

It was a criminally soft goal to concede against such intimidating opposition.

As Reid later pointed out, Arsenal are good enough to win on their own without being afforded such generosity.

The early carnage was not yet over, however. Reid's team talk, which highlighted the Gunners' tendency to strike early, might as well have been given in Swahili for all the impact it appeared to have on his side.

Arsenal doubled their lead after a flowing move that included a glorious Ljungberg backheel and culminated in Kanu heading past the exposed Sorensen from three yards.

But why did Sunderland squander possession so carelessly in the build-up to the second goal?

And, more pertinently, why had Kilbane drifted so far inside and allowed Kanu so much time and space at the back post?

In boxing parlance, Sunderland had thrown in the towel before the end of the first round.

But there was more to come; another 82 minutes, in fact. Arsenal were toying with Sunderland, and the inevitable cries of "Ole" from the home faithful were not long in coming.

Reid, shielding his eyes from the fierce sun - or was he just dazzled by the Premiership leaders' brilliance? - appeared powerless to stem the tide.

Then, just when it surely couldn't get much worse for Sunderland, it did.

And this time, it will need more than a few kind words to repair the damage inflicted and piece together shattered confidence.

For a change, the Black Cats could point to misfortune rather than their own ineptitude as Sorensen suffered a dislocated elbow in punching clear from Henry.

So, with 16 minutes on the clock, Sunderland were 2-0 down and had their substitute goalkeeper, Thomas Myhre, in net.

Even Reid's worst nightmares had not allowed for such a disastrous opening to their trip to Fortress Highbury.

In the 31st minute, Sunderland won a free-kick 35 yards from the Arsenal goal.

It was a rare opening; some precious respite for Sunderland's defenders.

Claudio Reyna saw Julio Arca in space on the left and tried to release the Argentinian.

And he miskicked the ball straight to an Arsenal player ten yards away.

It would have been funny, had it not been so painful to watch.

Shortly after referee David Elleray piled on the misery by allowing five minutes' stoppage time, Arsenal decided to score a third goal.

Myhre made a good stop from Sylvain Wiltord's fierce free-kick.

Well done, Thomas, his teammates seemed to say.

Whatever they did, they failed to react to the rebound - and Patrick Vieira headed home the loose ball as Myhre struggled back to his feet.

The half-time statistics read: Arsenal 13 shots, Sunderland none; Arsenal nine corners, Sunderland none.

As the stopwatch ticked past the 50-minute mark, Tore Andre Flo sent a tame header at full stretch well wide.

It was Sunderland's first effort on goal - not allowing for Darren Williams' mishit cross that landed on the roof of David Seaman's net.

Incidentally, many more afternoons like these and 39-year-old Seaman will be able to become the Premiership's first pensioner.

But we digress.

With Arsenal still in second gear, Williams and Craddock pulled off superb blocks from Henry efforts to prevent the Frenchman from topping off his splendid display with a goal.

Then a miracle happened. Sunderland scored. Yes, after chasing shadows for more than 82 minutes, Kilbane whipped over a cross and Craddock sent a header inside Seaman's near post.

Craddock turned to the visiting fans and punched the air. The phrase "too little, too late" leapt to mind.

At the final whistle, Julio Arca and Gavin McCann stood near the halfway line, a look of disbelief on their faces.

They could not comprehend what they had witnessed. It's difficult to say they had been part of it, such was Arsenal's dominance.

And just in case you were wondering, no, Sunderland never did win a corner.

Oh well. Only four weeks until Reid's men visit Highbury again, for a Worthington Cup tie.

Wenger will play a weakened team that evening. It will probably include the names Pires and Jeffers, among others.

Ouch

Result: Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1.

Read more about Sunderland here.