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SANTI'S LITTLE HELPER ... Cazorla strike grabs three points for Gunners |
SANTI CAZORLA kept Arsenal in the top-four shake-up with a crucial winner at Sunderland.
The Gunners badly needed a victory after North London rivals Tottenham beat Newcastle in the early kick-off.
And Cazorla settled matters on Wearside to cut the gap on fourth-placed Spurs back to four points.
Carl Jenkinson was sent off for Arsene Wenger’s men after picking up a second booking after the break.
MIG STAYS BIG ... keeper blocks from Theo Walcott
Yet the visitors stood firm to keep up the pace in the race for a Champions League place.
Cazorla’s 35th-minute winner was a superb team goal from the Gunners — with England stars Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott carving out the chance.
Wilshere weaved his way through the middle and passed to Walcott, who laid off as Cazorla charged in.
GIROUD AWAKENING ... Olivier rues a missed chance
And the Spain star struck a low left-footed drive which flew into the bottom corner.
Sunderland rallied after the break and their hopes were boosted when Jenkinson picked up his second yellow.
The defender had been booked after just eight minutes when he dived in late on Jack Colback.
FLY BOY ... Cazorla celebrates
And Jenkinson was sent for an early bath on 62 minutes when he chopped down Stephane Sessegnon from behind.
Danny Graham was given a warm welcome when he was thrown on with 20 minutes to go.
But it was the Gunners who almost scored next, with Cazorla’s strike beating Simon Mignolet — only to come back off the post.
And that was the closest either side came as the Gunners stood firm for a key win.
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