A REFLECTIVE Roy Keane last night hailed his players' resilience after they overhauled a two-goal deficit before slipping to a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, but admitted the result underlined how much work still needs to be done before Sunderland can claim to have established themselves in the Premier League.

A rout looked to be on the cards when the Gunners steamed into a two-goal lead within the opening 15 minutes, but goals from Ross Wallace and Kenwyne Jones enabled Sunderland to mount one of the comebacks of the season.

The result hung in the balance for the remainder of the second half, with the Black Cats keeping pace with an Arsenal side who continue to boast a 100 per cent record at the Emirates Stadium.

But with Robin Van Persie's 80th-minute winner ensuring the Wearsiders returned to the North-East empty-handed, Keane admitted that plucky performances were no match for Premier League points.

"I don't think we're a bad team, but the next step we have to take is the biggest one," said the Black Cats boss. "I've said all along that we've done okay, but we need to turn that into results. We did reasonably well but we're leaving London with zero points.

"I think we're a decent team but we've got to go the next step. There are a lot of good players and managers who don't bridge that gap, and it's my job to make sure we're competitive, do well and hold our own in the Premier League.

"I've been saying for months that getting promoted was the easy part. You see what Arsene Wenger has built at this club, and you've got to hope we can do it at Sunderland."

Having contributed to the concession of two early goals, it would have been easy for the visitors to have crumbled in the face of some incisive Arsenal attacking.

Sunderland, however, are made of sterner stuff and, having seen his side score three last-minute goals already this season, Keane remained confident they would find a way back into the game.

"I never had any doubts about my players," he said. "I knew their heads wouldn't drop. I have to concentrate on the positives and, from our point of view, that means the character, the attitude and some very good play.

"Liam (Miller) and Grant (Leadbitter) were outstanding, and the lads gave it their all.

"If you come to grounds like this, you have to have to have a hell of a lot to get a positive result. We had a bit of luck, but maybe not just enough."

The result was not the only sour note for the visitors, as Paul McShane's 90th-minute dismissal for serious foul play means he will be sidelined for the next three games.

Keane was standing just feet away from the Irishman when his studs connected with Alexander Hleb's groin, and will consider disciplinary action of his own if the video evidence suggests referee Rob Styles was right to brandish his red card.

"I would love to sit here and say I didn't have a clear view, but I was five yards away and it was right in front of me," he said. "My only concern was that the referee was very quick to get his card out.

"I'm not disputing the decision and Paul will be disciplined if he's out of order. But maybe he could have spoken to the assistant. We'll judge it when we look on the video."

Yesterday's result leaves Arsenal two points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table, but Keane still makes his former club favourites to defend their title.

"I think it's shaping up to be the same old title race between United and Arsenal," said the Sunderland boss. "But I'd still take United at the end of it.

"I think they'll have the edge, but that's just my personal opinion.

"It's nothing to do with the results over the weekend, I just think United are just a touch ahead."