Darren Bent's ninth goal of the season condemned Arsenal to a first defeat in 14 attempts as Sunderland claimed another big scalp with a 1-0 win.

The England international stabbed home from close range with 71 minutes gone to seal a famous victory in a tight encounter at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats keeper Marton Fulop had earlier made a fine save to deny Tomas Rosicky, but the Gunners failed to make the most of the possession they enjoyed and ultimately paid for it.

The absence of injured striker Robin van Persie, coupled with that of Nicklas Bendtner, left Gunners manager Arsene Wenger with few options in attack, although his team-sheet still made for impressive reading.

The Frenchman opted to field Rosicky and Samir Nasri in support of lone frontman Eduardo, and that meant he still had Andrey Arshavin in reserve on the bench.

The Gunners might have been in front as early as the fifth minute when Cesc Fabregas expertly turned Bacary Sagna's deep cross into the path of Rosicky, who forced a good save from Fulop with a well-struck volley.

Fabregas whistled a 13th-minute drive just over the bar, but Fulop was a relieved man after Song and Eduardo had combined to carve their way into the penalty area with 32 minutes gone. In the meantime, Sunderland had created two chances of their own, both of them falling to Steed Malbranque from left-wing crosses.

Manuel Almunia's goal was coming under threat when Andy Reid drilled a long-range free kick just wide, and the Irishman then skied a snapshot high over the bar before the hosts went ahead.

Bent's header from a Reid corner cannoned back off substitute Fraizer Campbell's legs at the far post and fell perfectly for his strike partner to smash it home before Manuel Almunia could get there.

The the Gunners could not believe they were not awarded an injury-time penalty for Campbell's challenge on Carlos Alberto Vela with referee Alan Wiley waving their appeals away.